COMMENT l The sad irony of realpolitik is those responsible for safeguarding the welfare of the people and entrusted with power to enforce laws and protect them often become lawbreakers and evade prosecution.

So when ex-minister Zainuddin Maidin asks , “How to nab someone with absolute immunity?” it strikes at the heart of the integrity of Malaysia's governance. It is indeed a body blow to the rule of law when 'someone' enjoys 'absolute immunity.'

Whatever his past controversial record, like Mahathir Mohamad's, it is hard to disagree with Zainuddin. On the basis of the evidence presented in the allegations in the many scandals the country faces, the public perception that 'someone' enjoys 'absolute immunity' is not unreasonable.

It is unusual for those investigated to unilaterally declare 'case closed' when the hounds are still on the trail and the 1MDB story remains controversial and unresolved over vital matters such as the source of the RM2.6 billion 'donation' that many allege looks more like a 'smoking gun' damnation...