Malaysiakini : But the country had never seen or encountered the barbarous and cruel killing of innocent people, including women and children.
He
got his way and talked an architect to do ānational serviceā by
designing and submitting plans to renovate the dilapidated wooden house.
Then he called a few of his friends for donations.
After all,
they were all contributing to a worthy cause. They all weighed in and it
was ready to open its doors after a year. I was one of the few who were
given a sneak preview.
As one approaches the building, it appears
nondescript except for the new coat of paint, and well-manicured lawns
with plenty of flora and fauna to give it a āfeel goodā atmosphere.
As one steps up the wooden staircase, he is greeted by a full-length
poster of an Australian model-actress, with a necklace studded with pink
stones. Of course, a little cleavage does no harm, especially if it
draws in the visitors.
The citation below reads: āThis is the
woman who returned a diamond necklace worth millions after she
discovered they were bought with money stolen from the people.ā
Many āinterestingā sections
On
either side are wax figures of the two main protagonists in the whole
issue. One looks statesmanlike while the other is chubby-faced and much
younger.
We are told that these were created by the same artisans whose handy work can be seen in Madame Tussauds in London.
The
exhibits are in various sections with a title each. The first is called
āThe Dirty Dozenā and on display are portraits of 12 recipients of the
dirty money.
The photographs on display include politicians,
lawyers, textile merchants, and journalists - some of whom knowingly
accepted the money knowing it was stolen.
Next to it is another
gallery titled āThe Fixersā. Almost exclusive to lobbyists, artistes and
lawyers in the US, bar a couple of locals who attempted to change the
script.
Next are two different large family trees with a photograph of the Alfa Nero separating them.
After
all, it was on board this yacht [hired at US$500,000 (RM2.2 million) a
week] that the deal was made with the Middle-Eastern guys.
Below that is yet another āfamilyā photograph with the perpetrators and some family members on board the yacht.
Then
there are interesting exhibits under āInterdicted/In Jailā. No prizes
for guessing who they are but many will find themselves either in
penitentiaries overseas or at home - among them, rap artistes and
lobbyists.
The āMix and Matchā display does not have any items except for photographs of designer handbags, watches, jewellery and the lot.
They
belonged to the matriarch who is defiantly holding on to them, claiming
they were either gifts or bought with hard-earned money.
The
āUnsung Heroesā exhibit is yet another gallery of photographs of heads
of prosecution, the top brass of the anti-corruption agency, who
famously fell under the sword because they were merely doing their duty.
Itās
a pity that the people who played a big role in bringing the crooks to
the book have been relegated to a small corner, but then, it was decided
on priority. Each has a caption and the role he or she played.
Elsewhere,
there is a baccarat table, complete with a velvet table top. It is a
replica of the table in Las Vegas where the protagonist and his friends
were high rollers, losing in the millions.
The
YB has a wicket sense of humour. He has placed a bottle of Cristal
Champagne in a silver bucket and black bin bags next to it. What is that
for?
Oh Yes. Remember the buxom socialite who made those
startling revelations? She had tried to turn over her casino winnings of
US$350,000 (RM1.5 million) to the protagonist at the end of the night
but was to keep the chips.
She was given US$250,000 (RM1.1
million) in what she told the FBI was a garbage bag filled with US$100
(RM446) bills, and the other US$100,000 (RM446,000) in another garbage
bag of cash during a later trip.
Elsewhere, there is a booth where
one can not only listen to conversations related to the case but also
an āagony auntā offering advice to the big man himself. You can also
listen to one leader pleading with the head of another country for false
documentation to clear his son.
There is also a section called
āAssets Seizedā which depicts photographs of one-of-a-kind artwork and
luxury real estate in New York and London which were purchased with
stolen money.
While terms of the settlement with various parties
have been deemed confidential, there was no dearth of information and
material from jurisdictions in other countries.
Near the exit is a
āPoor Daddyā corner. It displays among others news reports of him being
missed and a comparison of the felon to Nelson Mandela and the
denouncements that followed.
Where is the āstarā?
As I walk out, the YB asks for my views.
āCould
be better and more interesting,ā I said to which he replied: āThis is a
start. We will add more exhibits as we go along. We have asked for
documents from six countries and are waiting for them.ā
But one
photograph has eluded him ā that of one of the protagonists in a prison
uniform. But then, how long can the guilt be hidden by the faƧade of a
suit and tie?
From the nearby pub, a boisterous crowd is screaming
āOne Em Dee Beeā. The barmaid is at a loss but someone from the crowd
comes forward to explain the commotion.
In pub parlance, he says with a straight face, 1MDB means āOne More Draught Beerā.
The
YB and I chuckled and he said: āI canāt afford Cristal Champagne with
my allowance but I can sure get you one more draught beer.ā
Cheers!
