He claimed that he was “not aware” that such an incident even took place during his tenure despite contradicting claims by an Indonesian workers rights group.
He said, “I’m not aware of that. I don’t think there was anything.”
Abdullah Badawi has just confessed to his failure as a leader.
Shouldn’t a Prime minister be aware of what the members of his cabinet are up to?
And what right has he to claim years after the incident that “I don’t think there was anything”? What an irresponsible statement from a former Prime minister.
Is Abdullah aware that we are not talking about jay-walking or a parking offence? Rape is a serious crime and it was alleged that one of his ministers was the rapist.
Did he order a proper investigation to prove that “nothing had taken place”? Is he aware of the implications of the alleged crime?
Or is he totally unconcerned as he is now, out of office and it is not his problem anymore?
It appears that one after another, these Prime ministers, past and present, lack integrity. They only defend their inaction and their failure to deal with the matter in a timely fashion.
Migrant Care, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) from Indonesia, had made a report about the alleged rape after interviewing the rape victim, who was from Central Java.
A copy of the report was also submitted to the Prime Minister's Office.
The NGO's report claimed that the victim’s husband knew of the incident but the couple refused to press charges because of fear and shame.
It was reported that Abdullah decided to keep the matter under wraps because he was worried about relations with Indonesia.
Our leaders are not fit for purpose. What happened to responsibility and accountability?
Can Abdullah remember that at the beginning of his premiership, he swore to uphold the faith and act in the interests of the king, his people, and the country?
It is hard being Prime minister – all that money, power and fame and the need to cover-up any embarrassing details about their administration.
In most countries, a leak could end the adulation that ministers receive, and terminate their privileged life-style.
When he became prime minister, Abdullah promised to clamp down on corruption, and he empowered the anti-corruption agencies as well as made it easier for the public to reveal corrupt practices to the authorities.
He increased his popularity by arresting several public figures from the Mahathir era on charges of corruption.
Were all his initial good works just a case of “new broom sweeps clean”?
Abdullah’s term was from 2003 to 2009. The alleged rape occurred in 2007. Had he by that time got tired of office? Should he have been put out to pasture?
It is shameful that he denied that the rape allegation had been made known to him and foolish to suggest that a denial from Rais is evidence that the rape could not have occurred.
Is the man so naïve? Of course the alleged rapist will protest his innocence. Of course the person who should have ordered an investigation is going to pretend it never occurred during his watch.
So do we think Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is still Mr. Clean and Mr. Nice Guy? Written by Mariam Mokhtar
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