PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is now a nation of compromises, says Shahril Hamdan on Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi being granted to a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for 47 graft charges related to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
The former Umno information chief and Keluar Sekejap podcast co-host said it was a question of how Malaysians always saw Pakatan Harapan and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a beacon of hope.
"Subconsciously, the standard that we (Barisan Nasional and Umno) were comparing ourselves with was Pakatan.
"We had to show people that reformists, progressives and those upholding democracy were not only with Pakatan but also those in Barisan and Umno.
"Like it or not, we were measured against the supposed reformists in Pakatan and that was their (Pakatan) platform and moral high ground.
"What is Malaysia now? We used to be a nation of hope. I don’t think we are a nation of hope, not a nation of principles, not a nation of ideals.
"We are a nation of compromises and yesterday was the reality," he said on the Keluar Sekejap podcast on Wednesday (Sept 6).
Shahril also pointed out how Pakatan’s brand was democracy and good governance, adding "it was now gone".
"Where will people place their hopes? If I put myself in fence sitters shoes, even the Opposition (Perikatan Nasional) is not appealing.
"Where is the hope? Putting hopes on Perikatan is hard and the same goes to Pakatan.
"Hoping on Umno but Umno is just like that.
"Muda? They lost their deposits," Shahril added.
Fellow host Khairy Jamaluddin meanwhile said he felt sad that Malaysia had reached this point.
"This is the price to pay for whatever this government is...for Anwar to be Prime Minister.
"I pity Anwar as it was just the 25th anniversary for the Reformasi movement but also the same day it (Reformasi) was put in the grave.
"This man (Anwar) has suffered and became the Prime Minister.
"If we look at character development, you surely want a good ending for him.
"And now he has this to deal with?" the former Umno Youth chief and Cabinet Minister said.
Their comments come after the High Court on Monday (Sept 4) granted a DNAA against Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Ahmad Zahid for all 47 graft charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, in his judgement, said the extended time needed for investigation was justifiable as the representations submitted by the defence had taken up hundreds of pages for examinations by the prosecution.
