KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 28): Despite the lack of evidence to implicate Datuk Seri Najib Razak of wrongdoing, the prime minister will still be guilty in the eyes of the opposition, says a senior Cabinet member from Sarawak.

Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing said even if Najib was declared innocent by the court, the opposition would say otherwise.

“In the eyes of these people, Najib is guilty. In Malaysia, we seem to have two sets of laws. One for the government and one for the opposition. The government is guilty till proven innocent.

“The opposition is innocent till proven guilty, even if the opposition is proven by the court as guilty. The opposition would turn around and say the court is wrong!”

Najib was in a real fix, he said.

“If he is found guilty, the critics will say, 'we told you so'. If he is found innocent, they would say, 'the court is wrong'."

Masing said politicians like Najib and him in the end would be judged by the court of public opinion, not the court of law.

“The court of public opinion is cruel, temperamental and follows no set of human made laws.

“They are the legislators, the court and the executioners all in one.”

On Tuesday, Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali said there was insufficient evidence to implicate Najib of criminal wrongdoing in receiving the RM2.6 billion “political donation”.

Apandi also said there was no evidence that Najib abused his power when the Cabinet approved the guarantee for a RM4 billion loan to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

PKR state chief Baru Bian said the way forward in dealing with the A-G’s decision was to work towards removing Najib from office.

“As long as Umno and BN hold the reins (of power) in this country, we can debate and talk until the cows come home. Nothing will change,” he said.

Baru said ruling party leaders are not going to “suddenly find their conscience and question their supreme leader”.

It is ultimately the ordinary Malaysian with the real power to them from office, he said.

He said Malaysians in Sarawak could lead the way by voting against the ruling party in the upcoming state elections.