COMMENT | Free speech is alive but dispensed selectively

“I will forgive those who have sent me to prison but l will not forgive people who steal money and betray the Malays.”

- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim while speaking at the Jelajah Perpaduan Madani event in Marang on July 24, 2023.

COMMENT | Save for the canaries in the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, the buffaloes on the paddy fields in Kampung Mat Sirat in Langkawi and the legendary spotted dogs outside the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians have openly or privately expressed their views on that discount of sentence, partial pardon or whatever they call it for Najib Abdul Razak.

And people from all walks of life expressed shock and even disbelief on the matter.

Others saw it as a relief, and Najib’s daughter Nooryana expressed disappointment that he did not get a full pardon – forgiven and allowed to walk as a free man.

Umno members were happy and even thanked the Pardons Board like grateful motorists who often enjoy the fruits of the regular “discount season.”

Except for...