An open letter to Paul Low

By Robert Hum
Malaysiakini
Aug 1, 2015

Mr Paul Low
Malaysian Minister of Integrity and Good governance
Putrajaya
Malaysia

Dear Sir

Please allow me to add some comments concerning your press statement of July 31, 2015.

Excerpt from your press statement: “I was brought into the federal cabinet specifically to promote good governance and to strengthen transparency and accountability in the government.”

Firstly the all important concept of good governance involves the rule of law, transparency and accountability.

Mr Low, all of these basic points were missing in the unceremonious dismissal of the attorney-general (AG) on Monday by PM Najib Abdul Razak. The incongruent statement of dismissal of the AG due to ill health by the chief secretary to the government smacks of the arrogance and the contempt of the PM for the office of the AG in order to stay in power at all costs.

There was no rule of law evidenced in the dismissal of the AG who was in the process of leading the investigation into the conduct of the PM concerning 1MDB. On the contrary the AG’s dismissal from office by PM Najib is against natural justice and is a direct interference by the PM who is being investigated.

From the onset of the investigation of 1MDB, it was clear that there could never be an objective, fair and thorough investigation when the person under investigation is the PM himself. Good governance would have dictated that PM Najib temporarily stand down from office so that a without prejudice, fair and thorough investigation could be carried out. But this did not happen.

By removing the AG from office and promoting three key public accounts committee (PAC) investigating members to cabinet positions has now rendered the demise of a fair and thorough investigation of the 1MDB saga and is now a laughing stock to the whole world. Where is the good governance in all these? Where is the accountability that you referred to?

All these happened on July 28 and you have the audacity to issue your press statement of July 31 about good governance and transparency.

How could you as a follower of Jesus Christ, participate in activities that are highly irregular, suspicious, undemocratic and lack moral decency in every aspect?

How could you partake of idolatrous delicacies at Najib’s cabinet table on the weekdays and break bread at the Lord’s table on Sundays?

The Christian community is indignant, annoyed and very disappointed with Najib’s summary and contemptuous removal of the AG, the PAC members and the deputy prime minister when the investigation of 1MDB is on-going. No amount of platitude from you about the Najib’s intention concerning good governance will have any effect on anyone in light of these events, including many young Malaysians.

What example are you and your boss, the PM, setting for the younger Malaysians who will be the leaders of the country tomorrow?

On the wrong side of Malaysian history?

Dear Mr Low, I believe you are on the wrong side of Malaysian history. Fifty years from now, Malaysian history will record your duplicity concerning this shameful episode and your name will be remembered as one who stood with the unjust rulers who were despots and greedy, supporting nepotism, cronyism and corrupt to the very core in Malaysian society. History reminds us of Marcos, Suharto and Mubarak, to name a recent few.

Are you not aware that your position in the Malaysian cabinet as a minister to promote good governance, transparency and accountability is but a game played by Najib? Wake up! You have been sucked into it without fully understanding the ramifications of your participation and complicity in the evil deeds.

The Malaysian Christian community is highly suspicious of Najib’s move against the DPM. Would he be arrested and suffer a black eye in the holding cell at Bukit Aman, like one infamous incident that Malaysians are reminded of, not too long ago?

Would he also be charged with morality offences now that he is no longer in the executive?

Your continued presence in Najib’s cabinet bring disrepute and shame on the Christian community in Malaysia since you have identified yourself to be a Christian. You are supposed to be the light for them that walk in darkness but alas, you, too, walk in darkness.

Your continual presence in the Malaysian cabinet could only allow me to conclude that you are a man of poor judgment and of highly doubtful moral and ethical standards.

Let me in closing quote you from the writing of the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus.

Ephesian 5:11. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Your other seven Christian colleagues in the cabinet, namely Idris Jala , Maximus Ongkili, Douglas Uggah,Wilfred Madius Tangau, Richard Riot, Joseph Entulu and Joseph Kurup should all hang your heads in shame, bearing the name of Christ and yet participating in the works of darkness.

Remember what Jesus said to his disciples. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” Matthew 7:21

ROBERT HUM is a retired accountant.