On Monday (24 October), convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made an appearance on the Kembara Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family Adventure) TV programme aired by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Since then, a huge backlash had started among netizens as they take it online to question why Najib was given special treatment again.
“It look as if he did not go to jail. Still on TV, campaigning,” a netizen said.
“Prisons Department, we need a photo of Najib in the cells, wearing the normal prison outfit as evidence that he is in fact in prison,” another netizen said.
Macam tak masuk penjara. Still on tv, campaigning. pic.twitter.com/Un7u4jOG5S
— The Mamu™ 🇲🇾 (@The_Mamu) October 24, 2022
Prisons Department’s explanation
Amid the uproar, the Prisons Department clarified that the video was not recorded within the premises of the Kajang Prison, the place where convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is currently serving time.
In a statement on Tuesday (25 October), the department explained that the video broadcasted on national television was filmed before he became an inmate at Kajang Prison.
In addition, it added that the episode aired featured the history and background of Pekan, and is not related to politics.
The department then urged the public to stop spreading incorrect information as legal action can be taken against those irresponsible enough to do so.
Why broadcast amid the GE15 campaign?
Meanwhile, netizens remained sceptical about this, with one netizen pointing out that this is an unethical thing to do as showing such a scene when political parties are campaigning for the upcoming election would only influence the voters.
“UMNO is downplaying Najib’s airtime in RTM, saying not a big deal. However, this is what happened in Philippines when they start to only portray positively about their national plunderer, Ferdinand Marcos,” a netizen said.
On the other hand, some netizens asked why Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) supporters were so triggered to see Najib’s appearance in the travelogue.
“PH people still making allegations and assumptions about recorded TV shows about Pahang. Why are you guys terrified with 2 minutes of DSN (Najib) appearances,” a netizen countered.
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts!
, convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made an appearance on the Kembara Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family Adventure) TV programme aired by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).){kind=link}