Recounting The Day Malaysians Stopped Najib From Jetting Off To Jakarta A Sweet Victory For The Rakyat

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ON the morning of May 12, 2018, something truly historic happened at Subang Airport.
Just days after losing the 14th General Election (GE14) in a crushing landslide loss, the disgraced ex-premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his family appeared to be trying to escape the country on a private jet to Jakarta.
But ordinary Malaysians, rightfully furious over their years of corruption and scandals, went to the airport to stop them.
They were everyday citizens, not politicians or VIPs. They were teachers, shopkeepers, youth and parents from all races and all walks of life.
Tired of seeing UMNO steal taxpayers’ money while the people struggled, they stood in front of the airport gates and physically blocked cars from entering.
Within hours, the Immigration Department swiftly banned Najib and Rosmah from flying out. Their flight was cancelled. The rakyat had won.

Later, Najib was finally arrested. This moment was more than just a protest. It was a message to the world: Malaysians care about justice. It showed that when people come together, they can stop even the dirtiest criminals from avoiding accountability.
Emulating a similar feat
Now, in 2025, Malaysia faces new problems. Life is more expensive. Unemployed youth are frustrated. The criminal Najib and his family, especially his whinging daughter, are trying to rewrite Malaysian history.
UMNO puppets like UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and others are still trying to divide the country.
Other Asian nations are quickly out-smarting and out-competing Malaysia. So-called leaders are no longer even pretending to solve problems. But we must remember the airport lesson from 2018: the people have power.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is renowned for his Bossku monikerStopping Najib’s flight was not just about one thief. It was about protecting Malaysia’s future. It showed that democracy is not just about voting. It is also about speaking up, standing firm and uniting together as one people to do what is right.
Today, we must carry that same cooperative spirit. If we see corruption, then we must speak out. If we see injustice, then we must act. The work of building a better nation never ends. It needs everyone, every day.
What happened at Subang Airport was a tremendously proud moment for Malaysia. It was a peaceful but powerful action. In the words of one senior judge, the people said, “You are a national embarrassment”. And they made Najib finally face justice.
No matter what setbacks Malaysians have experienced since then, no Malaysian should ever forget that triumphant day when the rakyat united to stop a weak but corrupt tyrant.
Let that remind us: The Malaysian government belongs to Malaysians – not the other way around. 
Corruption Watch is a reader of Focus Malaysia.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
 - Focus Malaysia.

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