Distortion Of Truth Perception Zaid Decries Trumpian Politics In Malaysia

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“Trumpian politics”, a term derived from US President Donald Trump, is characterised by the distortion of truth, the abuse of power, and the manipulation of public perception.
According to former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, this is no longer an American phenomenon.
“It has taken root in Malaysia,” he said in a post on X this afternoon.
Referencing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks about the Sabah graft scandal, he noted how “hard evidence of corruption” is dismissed as mere “perception”.
Zaid, a former PKR member, alleged that the party election is orchestrated to yield predetermined outcomes - an accusation that Anwar’s party has denied.
Citing the case of Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who quit Umno to join PKR, Zaid added that senior leaders of coalition partners are “shamelessly enticed to defect” with no rationale beyond the consolidation of power.
Touching on the issue of “legal immunity” for the prime minister, Zaid said the law and the courts, once seen as the final arbiters of justice, might soon face their own moment of reckoning on whether to uphold the rule of law or to “play ball”.
He said this would depend on how certain legal questions are answered.
“Even the prospect of justice being done on the strength of evidence is often fenced in by layers of legal immunity and technical escape routes,” he added.
Yesterday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers clarified that Anwar’s move to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court for determination is not aimed at granting him personal immunity.
Anwar wanted the apex court to rule whether Articles 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from a suit filed by Yusoff Rawther four years ago.
Dishonest politics
Elaborating, Zaid said this concerning political culture is thriving because too many Malaysians are indifferent to the truth.
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“Many are content to attend schools and universities that prioritise rote memorisation over critical thought. They are grateful for handouts from corporations that, in return, ensure continued loyalty to deceiving leaders.“Few wish to confront the real causes of our deepening economic disarray. Instead, they find comfort in the same leaders who created chaos, leaders who offer easy scapegoats and simple answers, demanding only continued faith in return.
“But the danger of dishonest politics goes far beyond individual cases of corruption. It weakens the very institutions meant to protect us. It fosters a culture of impunity, where wrongdoing becomes routine and accountability disappears.“It sows cynicism among the public, discouraging civic engagement and turning voters into passive spectators of their decline,” he cautioned.
Zaid said that over time, it would erode national resilience, leaving the nation unable to respond collectively to crises, unable to believe in change, and unable to rebuild trust.
“In the end, perhaps we are simply getting what we hoped for or what we were willing to tolerate,” he added. - Mkini

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