Zaid: Execute investigators, prosecutors enabling corruption
RK Anand
Published: Apr 17, 2025 8:18 PM
Updated: 10:18 PM
Summary
Published: Apr 17, 2025 8:18 PM
Updated: 10:18 PM
Summary
- Zaid Ibrahim criticises a Sabah assemblyperson’s suggestion to execute graft offenders by firing squad.
- The former law minister says enforcement, not harsher laws, is the real issue.
In a twist that sounds like it belongs in a dystopian political thriller, a Sabah politician proposed that graft offenders be executed by firing squad, like in China.
However, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim responded with a sharp critique, warning that such a policy "might not just trim the fat - it could massacre the entire buffet”.
By his conservative estimate, Zaid claimed that implementing such a law would eliminate at least 80 percent of Malaysian politicians, leaving state assemblies - including the one in Kota Kinabalu - and Parliament in Kuala Lumpur resembling abandoned buildings.
"On the flipside. The ideological tortoises in this race of gold-chasing hares - the politicians who don’t treat politics as a get-rich-quick scheme - might finally have an edge,” he told Malaysiakini.
While making clear he does not support the death penalty, Zaid (above) argued that if executions were to be considered, then the "silver bullet" solution would be to first target those who refuse to investigate or prosecute corruption, particularly when it involves those in power.
However, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim responded with a sharp critique, warning that such a policy "might not just trim the fat - it could massacre the entire buffet”.
By his conservative estimate, Zaid claimed that implementing such a law would eliminate at least 80 percent of Malaysian politicians, leaving state assemblies - including the one in Kota Kinabalu - and Parliament in Kuala Lumpur resembling abandoned buildings.
"On the flipside. The ideological tortoises in this race of gold-chasing hares - the politicians who don’t treat politics as a get-rich-quick scheme - might finally have an edge,” he told Malaysiakini.
While making clear he does not support the death penalty, Zaid (above) argued that if executions were to be considered, then the "silver bullet" solution would be to first target those who refuse to investigate or prosecute corruption, particularly when it involves those in power.
"The existing laws are sufficient to address and discourage corruption," he said.
"But it’s the implementation that has always been lacking. For decades, we’ve seen how enforcement agencies are weaponised against political rivals while acting as shields for those in power.
“Execute a few of them and everyone will be on their best behaviour, including the politicians,” he added.
In a tongue-in-cheek take on the Warisan assemblyperson’s proposal, Zaid said such a law would never be passed as it would be asking politicians to sign their death warrants.
“If nothing else, it’s a great conversation starter over your next teh tarik,” he added.
Ongoing corruption scandal
Earlier, Malaysiakini reported Bugaya assemblyperson Jamil Hamzah as mooting the firing squad solution during the ongoing state assembly proceedings in Sabah.
His proposal came amid an ongoing corruption scandal involving the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah state administration.
Bugaya assemblyperson Jamil Hamzah
Since November last year, a businessperson has released a series of videos and screenshots of WhatsApp conversations implicating eight GRS assemblypersons, as well as the state legislative assembly speaker, Kadzim Yahya.
The businessperson, who claims to possess additional videos, alleged that he bribed the politicians in exchange for mineral exploration licences.
Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has accused the individual of colluding with certain parties to discredit his administration ahead of the upcoming state election.
The businessperson is also accused of being part of a cartel attempting to monopolise mining activities in the state.
On April 10, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the commission was waiting for the forensic analysis report into the Sabah scandal videos, which were submitted on March 11.
Since November last year, a businessperson has released a series of videos and screenshots of WhatsApp conversations implicating eight GRS assemblypersons, as well as the state legislative assembly speaker, Kadzim Yahya.
The businessperson, who claims to possess additional videos, alleged that he bribed the politicians in exchange for mineral exploration licences.
Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has accused the individual of colluding with certain parties to discredit his administration ahead of the upcoming state election.
The businessperson is also accused of being part of a cartel attempting to monopolise mining activities in the state.
On April 10, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the commission was waiting for the forensic analysis report into the Sabah scandal videos, which were submitted on March 11.