However, today, the coalition includes former cabinet members who were complicit in Najib’s abuses.

The absurdity of the Arab donation narrative was not limited to Najib himself. It was amplified by a network of allies, bureaucrats, and political operatives who allowed the story to persist unchecked.

Systems failed because structural oversight failed. Courts ultimately vindicated common sense, but at what cost? Millions were spent on trials that should have been straightforward; years of public attention were consumed by a narrative that never deserved it.

That the coalition government continues to house individuals who either facilitated or ignored these abuses only prolongs the shadow of complicity.

The harm done was not only financial. It was political and institutional. It weakened public trust, muddied civic expectations, and emboldened a culture whereby power protected power.

Now that the courts have spoken, public focus rightly shifts from the conviction of one individual to the structures that let such abuses take root.

Restoring credibility

To restore credibility, Anwar must act decisively. Former Umno-Baru figures who served under Najib, and who tolerated or benefited from misappropriation of public funds, cannot remain in office without calling into question the government’s ethical foundation.

Political expedience and coalition-building are insufficient excuses when the nation’s civic conscience and institutional legitimacy are at stake. The public must see that governance is not negotiable, that integrity is non-transferable, and that complicity carries consequences.

If the coalition government wishes to reclaim legitimacy, it must remove those who contributed to or ignored systemic abuse.

Swift removal of a deputy and AG demonstrated the precedent; the same standard must now apply across the cabinet. Only then can Malaysians have confidence that the government acts in the service of the public, rather than perpetuating old compromises.

The Arab donation farce extends beyond Najib himself. Family members and associates who benefited from ill-got gains, such as Rosmah Mansor and Riza Aziz, represent a broader question of accountability.

The lesson is ongoing: governance cannot rely on fantasy. Malaysians knew the lie, so now the system should act truthfully.

The coalition government must signal that benefiting from corruption carries consequences, reinforcing a culture where no one, neither political allies, family, nor enablers, is above systemic accountability.

We know that coalition governments require negotiation and compromise, but if Malaysia’s political leadership wants to convey credible reform and institutional renewal, then maintaining a cabinet heavily populated by figures tied to the pre‑2018 political establishment sends the wrong signal.

The call to action is unmistakable: Anwar must clean house, not out of spite, but to restore faith in governance, to strengthen institutions, and to signal to all Malaysians that no one is beyond accountability.