A candid discussion on the fall from grace of Malaysia’s former first lady and the public’s reaction.
How the mighty and their designer handbags have fallen.
On September 1, the High Court of Kuala Lumpur found Rosmah Mansor, the wife of ousted former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, guilty of soliciting and accepting bribes in exchange for a government contract. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined RM970 million (S$303 million). This ruling followed just a week after Najib began serving a 12-year sentence related to a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal involving the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
While the media frenzy highlighted the disgraceful downfall of this criminal duo, little attention has been given to the sentiments of ordinary Malaysians regarding their convictions and Rosmah’s notorious collection of tiaras and Birkin bags.
Together with my Malaysian counterpart, a media professional at an online news portal, we delve into the emotional reactions of people on the ground amid this ongoing political drama.
What are Malaysians saying about the Rosmah Mansor court case?
The prevailing sentiment is one of disgust, particularly over the fact that she embezzled money intended for needy children in Sabah. “It’s outrageous that someone could do this and then have the audacity to claim, ‘Oh, I never touched a dime,’ especially when the evidence clearly indicates otherwise,” my colleague remarked.
The public seems appalled by her defense and her blatant lack of remorse. “This woman wears jewelry and tiaras in her home and now claims that money isn’t everything? It’s sickening,” they added.
Moreover, her attempts to portray herself as a saintly mother come across as insincere. “If you’re such a saintly mother, where were your children when you left the courthouse?”
Her daughter, Nooryana, appears distant. “I don’t know if you noticed, but she mostly talks about her dad on social media, not her mom.”
Rosmah’s other daughter, Azrene, from her previous marriage, has been more vocal, stating that the court made the right decision. “As you can imagine, Azrene is not a fan of her mother,” my colleague noted with a chuckle.
“Oh, I saw that on Facebook. Azrene claimed she suffered emotional, physical, and mental abuse from Rosmah.”
It seems Rosmah is largely despised, except by those who benefitted from her.
Hated? You said hated, right?
“Yes, hated. I have friends in UMNO who aren’t shy about expressing their disdain for her.”
At one point, she addressed an UMNO general council meeting, prompting questions about her presence. “Why was she even allowed to speak? She’s just someone’s wife. Members weren’t even allowed to bring their spouses, yet she was ordering people around and being demanding. She’s universally disliked,” my colleague explained.
What about Najib Razak? What kind of memes are Malaysians creating in response to his conviction?
“There’s the Caramel Macchiato movement.”
What’s that?
“Well, last week, Nooryana posted on Instagram how guilty she felt while grocery shopping. She couldn’t even order a caramel macchiato because it reminded her of Najib, who apparently loves that drink. Following that, people began posting photos of themselves enjoying caramel macchiatos online as a way to mock her tone-deaf post.”
Is it safe to say this political drama has shifted from serious to something so ridiculous that the public feels compelled to make fun of it?
“I think that’s how Malaysians cope with such issues. I’m not sure how Singaporeans react, but in Malaysia, we’re quick to create memes, especially about Rosmah and Najib. Those memes emerge rapidly. It’s a coping mechanism.”
Yet, some individuals still vocally support Najib and Rosmah.
“In Malaysia, you have your golongan marhaen, the common folks, and then the elite like Najib—the aristocrats. Between these two, there’s a tier I call the Remora Fish.”
You mean the fish that clings to sharks?
“Yes! Remoras stick to sharks and feed on their scraps. They follow these powerful individuals throughout their lives and think they’re superior because they get to dine with the sharks.”
They still believe in Najib and Rosmah despite their convictions?
“Absolutely. Najib and Rosmah had such wealth that many benefited from their extravagance. What people don’t realize is that the money they gave away is a drop in the bucket compared to what they kept for themselves. It’s like someone robbing your house, taking everything you own but leaving you just enough for lunch tomorrow.”
These Remora Fish defend Najib and Rosmah because they want to regain their former privileges.
What’s the magnitude of the wealth they hoarded?
“It’s staggering. An Al Jazeera report stated that the US Department of Justice alleges that about $4.5 billion was embezzled from 1MDB, some of which ended up in Najib’s personal accounts.”
“Rosmah owns fourteen tiaras she can’t even wear outside. She has jewelry she can’t display. She polishes them at home. Can you imagine having so much wealth that you buy these absurdly expensive items, knowing you can’t wear them publicly? She resembles Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs, donning the skin of the women he murdered. It’s strikingly similar.”
The absurdity is startling, but the reality of it is unbelievable. With the convictions of Najib and Rosmah, along with a slew of other politicians facing bribery charges, do you think the public still trusts the government?
“The executive branch is likely quite unpopular right now. In fact, all politicians are facing unpopularity at this time. This new government is not well-liked because they weren’t elected by the populace. At least half of them weren’t voted in.”
So it’s a strange hybrid that makes citizens uneasy?
“Yes, it’s a mess. Trying to take over a government in that manner was a poor decision.”
Do you believe Malaysia will ever achieve a perfect parliament?
“No, that’s impossible. The nature of democracy is imperfect. It operates at the whims of the public, who often show little interest in politics.
Malaysians tend to support political parties rather than individual representatives. It’s easier for them, as they don’t have to research their MPs or keep an eye on their actions. They simply vote for the party they believe is the best or least objectionable.”
Still, regardless of which parties dominate Parliament, corruption will always persist, right? Mahathir has criticized Najib and other Prime Ministers for corruption. Things weren’t pristine during his tenure either; it’s like a pot-meet-kettle situation.
“There is a difference. With Mahathir, I’ll give you a contract and the funds; you ensure it gets done, and you can take your cut. With Najib, the arrangement is different—take your cut first, and whether the project moves forward doesn’t matter.
Look at Mahathir’s projects—KLCC, KLIA, Sepang. All of these projects were completed. What has Najib brought to fruition? Just the TRX tower, really.”
Do you think this pattern will persist?
“Najib’s conviction makes me think it might change. His conviction and prison sentence are the first signs that accountability may extend to those at the top. Perhaps now, high-ranking individuals will face consequences for their corruption, which historically trickled down rather than up.
You can arrest corrupt cops or teachers, but unless you hold those at the top accountable, corruption in Malaysia will endure. Najib’s arrest and sentencing give me hope that this may not be a persistent expectation but a change we can achieve.”
