1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) still has RM8.9 billion remaining debts, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said on July 9. As at end-June, Malaysia has paid RM42.5 billion for 1MDB-related debts, while recovering RM31.3 billion over the scandal. “If there are no further recoveries, the government will have to absorb RM20.1 billion in losses,” – Liew said.
A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Cabinet has agreed to “review” the implementation of the e-invoice system and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions involving foreign workers. At the same time, the government also approves the 10-year extension of the tax exemption period for Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).
Why were the subjects of 1MDB, e-invoice, EPF for foreign workers and TAR tax exemption suddenly raised at the eleventh hour before the Johor state electionon July 11 (joked as 7-Eleven)? It was part of a psychological warfare as Liew’s party (DAP – Democratic Action Party) and Zahid’s party (UMNO – United Malays National Organization) clashes for votes before the final whistle.
Liew suddenly talked about the 1MDB debts to spook – and warn – its Chinese support base that if they don’t vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH), UMNO and convicted former Prime Minister Najib Razak could return to power. It is to rally the Chinese community against Nazifuddin Najib, the son of Najib, who has suggested that a big UMNO-led Barisan Nasional win would signal public support for his father’s release.
Zahid, on the other hand, talked about e-invoice, EPF for foreign workers and TAR tax exemption to also rally for the Chinese votes, knowing very well that all the topics are related closely to Chinese business and education. Make no mistake – it’s just a “review”, not cancellation – of the implementation of the e-invoice system and EPF contributions involving foreign workers.
As much as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would like to step forward to claim credits, he can’t. He would look like a fool making another U-turn. Many Chinese business owners, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), are frustrated and angry with the e-invoicing system, which causes massive workflow bottlenecks, business disruption, and additional operating cost.
Forked-tongue Anwar also caught with his pants down lying about a 10-year income tax exemption approval for TAR UMT, which he announced on February 4. MCA president Wee Ka Siong revealed that TAR UMT had received an approval letter, granting only a three-year tax exemption. Worse, DAP would be attacked for betraying Chinese education if PM Anwar refused to approve the 10-year income tax exemption.
Zahid politely expressed his appreciation to the prime minister for approving the 10-year extension for TAR UMT. But the damage is done to PM Anwar’s credibility. The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a component party of Barisan Nasional, appears to have won some points in championing the Chinese education in TAR UMT – successfully forced the Premier’s hand.
But should the Chinese voters, who solidly stood behind Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the November 2022 General Election, still give away 95% of their votes for Anwar-led PH? Or should they hedge their bet by splitting their votes for Zahid-led Barisan Nasional (BN)? Perhaps they should seriously consider a third option or third force like the newly formed Bersama.
Like it or not, neither PH nor BN deserve Chinese votes. Both coalitions have disappointed and betrayed the Chinese interests. Only during elections would PH or BN top leadership pretend to pay attention to the minorities’ complaints. Promising to review e-invoicing is like Najib’s administration pledges in 2017 to purchase land and allocate millions to construct and relocate existing Chinese schools.
After elections, it’s business as usual. Anwar, who acted like Gandhi while in opposition, reveals his true colours once he has gotten power and is now running the country like the previous BN government – fighting corruption selectively, marginalizing ethnic minorities, promoting dynastic politics, enriching cronies, allowing racism and extremism, introducing new taxes, abusing power, playing politics of hatred, and whatnot.
While Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong was trying to rally DAP’s traditional Chinese voters by weaponizing Najib and his infamous 1MDB scandal, DAP conveniently forgets that it was PM-obsessed Anwar who had facilitated the royal pardon for Najib – granting the crook 50% and 70% discounts on 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fines respectively.
Therefore, it’s both comical and hilarious when Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, a DAP warlord, pledged to resign from his Cabinet post and potentially pull DAP out of the federal unity government if Najib Razak is released from prison. Exactly where was Mr Nga and his DAP comrades when Mr Najib was “unfairly rewarded” with a partial royal pardon?
If DAP tries to argue that the royal pardon for Najib in February 2024 was due to the former King Sultan Abdullah, and had nothing to do with Anwar’s administration, then why was the PM so upset that he went ballistic and condemned those disagreed with the royal pardon for having no compassion. Why Liew complains about 1MDB debts now, but kept silent when Najib received the royal clemency.
Yes, under Article 40(1A) of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) no longer holds absolute personal discretion to grant pardons. The King is bound to act on the advice of the Pardons Board for all cases under its purview. Hence, the monarch cannot be blamed for having an “absolute power” to pardon prisoners, which means Anwar’s Pardons Board was responsible for Najib’s pardon.
And what is there to stop Nga Kor Ming from pointing fingers at the King, refusing to resign as pledged if Najib Razak is released from prison? It was a clever trick to shift the blame to the monarch when Najib walks away free because the government knew it could investigate and prosecute online speech, social media posts, or digital content deemed insulting to the country’s royal families.
In truth, Najib is set to walk a free man regardless of whether PH or BN wins the next 16th General Election. If BN wins big in Johor, it would build the momentum for UMNO to also go solo in the next national polls – potentially grants Najib a full royal pardon the same way Anwar received a full and unconditional royal pardon on May 16, 2018, from the former King of Malaysia, Sultan Muhammad V.
However, while PH is unlikely to capture the Johor state assembly, it could still win the parliamentary seats just like how it won in 2022. Like the 15th General Election, PH may not have the numbers to form a federal government on its own. Anwar, if lucky enough to get his second term, would have to work with BN once again, which means he has to facilitate another pardon for Najib.
It’s a political gimmick to say the Chinese community should not split their votes as doing so would see the formation of the UMNO-PAS government. A vote for BN is a vote for opposition Perikatan Nasional being led by religious extremist PAS Islamist party, DAP argues. But it’s also true that a vote for PH is a vote for BN, which comes with PAS, Najib, and Rosmah as bonus thrown in, no?
Besides, who can guarantee that Anwar’s People’s Justice Party (PKR) would not work with UMNO and PAS to form the next government, ditching silly DAP under the clueless Anthony Loke leadership in the opposition camp, if power-hungry Anwar gets his desired second term with a compromise to free Najib from jail? Isn’t it stupid for the Chinese to fully support PKR, only to see Anwar joins UMNO and PAS, hypothetical speaking?
As admitted by Anwar, he would remain as the Prime Minister whether PH wins or loses in Johor. This is the clearest green light for Chinese in Johor to vote for others than PH, BN or PN. They have nothing to lose. Johor is a playground to test a third option like Bersama. Heck, they can even split their votes for PH, BN and Bersama in Johor, but stay united for PH in the general election.
Exactly why should the Chinese give – and waste – all their votes for PKR, DAP and Amanah if they dare not make a squeak in Johor for fear of offending UMNO at the federal level? At least send some “loose cannons” like Bersama to the Johor State Legislative Assembly to replace the once outspoken DAP as check and balance. It doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.
Even if Bersama does split votes, it’s not true that it would only steal away Chinese votes from PH. It would also split Malay votes from disgruntled UMNO and PAS supporters. PH could still benefit from Bersama if the party swings, for example, 20% of Chinese votes from PH whilst siphoning 20% of Malay votes from BN and 10% from PAS – especially the fence sitters and Gen-Z voters.
More importantly, if DAP had done an excellent job defending the Chinese interests, and if Anwar Ibrahim is as popular as surveyed by Merdeka Center, they should not be overly panicked with the issue of Bersama splitting votes. Condemning Bersama for splitting votes is tantamount to recognizing DAP’s incompetence and admitting Anwar’s poor leadership – more reason to vote for Bersama or stay at home.
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July 10th, 2026 by financetwitter
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