Guilty verdict for Najib caps dramatic turn in fortunes

As a Malaysian judge read out a verdict of guilty on all charges, former prime minister Najib Razak sat silently in the dock at the end of the first of five graft trials linked to scandal-tainted state fund 1MDB.

Najib offered no visible reaction to the verdict. Masked against the coronavirus, wearing a brown suit with red and black striped tie, he had recited a brief prayer, flanked by leaders of his political party, before he entered the dock.

Najib, 67, has suffered a dramatic slide in fortunes since he was first charged in 2018, after he led his National Front ruling coalition to its first election defeat in six decades since independence from Britain.

Tuesday’s seven charges carry hefty fines and jail terms of up to 20 years. Najib, who denied wrongdoing, has pledged to appeal to Malaysia’s Federal Court.

He had faced a public backlash over accusations of rampant corruption in his administration and his family’s opulent lifestyle of overseas holidays and luxury shopping sprees.

In the weeks after the election loss, authorities seized hundreds of luxury handbags, jewellery and millions of dollars of cash during raids on properties linked to his family.

Najib was later arrested, and a raft of corruption charges linked to 1MDB, which he cofounded in 2009, followed.

Before his arrest, Najib said there was nothing improper about the seized luxury items or cash, which authorities had valued at up to $275 million.

“I didn’t benefit from 1MDB, because I believe that 1MDB was created to do something good for the country,” he said.

Najib has yet to be sentenced, but unless his conviction is overturned, he could end up in a cell at a prison complex on the outskirts of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, that houses common criminals. — Reuters

Coronavirus has thrown our tiny tots into a state of fear as they do not have the maturity to understand what the situation is except seeing the anxiety in the faces of their parents. There is no way to ease the stress as they miss school education, meeting friends and relatives, and outdoor games.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future or what’s coming,” was what my friend told me the other day referring to his six-year-old who hides behind him when she sees others. The reason he says, “She suspects all are coronavirus carriers and fears she might contact and become sick.”

No doubt, the toddler is among millions under the same scare and anxiety that the world is feeling right now.

They too feel the same stress and pressure, in a different way. In other words, the situation, in which kids are compelled to cocoon themselves in their own spaces, can take a toll on mental health.

At the same time, parents are confused on how to handle their tiny tots during this unprecedented time of crisis. Even as the situation is alarming, parents can still reassure children by using their knowledge to familiarise the children with stories from history when the world survived epidemics or calamities in the past.

When you narrate, don’t talk over them, but match the tales and the language with their age and stage. Your anxiety should not be expressive in your words. Parents are not voicing or expressing their anxiety-related thoughts or fears.

No doubt, parents can bring in more positivity and keep their wards happy all the time, no matter what restrictions are put into their lives. I say it because their little ones are spending more time with their parents unlike before the pandemic.

This can keep the parents in an open line of conversation with the kids. If they’re asking questions, you too have time to give proper answers. The warmth of their bond will maintain the positivity even during this time of crisis. As parents we need to stay strong and positive, and pray we’re all going to get through this.