It is unusual to see three former prime ministers appear in court on the same day.
Yet that was the scene at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Thursday, August 27.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak was there for the ongoing US$5.64 billion civil suit involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was attending his corruption trial linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
And Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was charged with allegedly failing to comply with a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission notice requiring him to declare his assets.
Three former prime ministers, three separate cases, three different political eras.
The cases are not connected but the image is difficult to ignore.
It should leave Malaysians disappointed, not debating which politician is right or wrong.
This is not what leadership should look like
These are not ordinary politicians. They were the people entrusted with leading Malaysia.
They occupied the highest political office in the country, commanded governments and made decisions affecting millions of Malaysians.
To see three former prime ministers dealing with separate legal proceedings is therefore more than an unusual coincidence.
It is a sobering reflection of the state of Malaysian politics.
The issue is not that former leaders are being investigated. If there are legitimate grounds to investigate someone, their position should not shield them from scrutiny.
The disappointment lies in seeing so many former leaders face serious legal proceedings after leaving office.
Politics should be about more than surviving the next election
Malaysia has gone through extraordinary political upheaval in less than a decade.
Najib's administration ended after the 2018 election.
Muhyiddin's government emerged from the collapse of the previous administration and lasted less than two years.
Ismail Sabri then led another short-lived government before GE15 produced a hung Parliament.
Governments changed, alliances shifted and prime ministers came and went.
Throughout it all, Malaysians were left dealing with the consequences of political uncertainty.
Leadership should mean more than winning enough support to form a government.
It should mean leaving behind strong institutions, protected public finances and a political culture that gives Malaysians reason to trust those in power.
Instead, seeing former prime ministers in court has become part of the political landscape.
Accountability is necessary, but it is not something to celebrate
No one should be above the law.
If a former leader is suspected of wrongdoing, the authorities should investigate. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutors should bring the case to court.
But Malaysians should not confuse that with something to cheer for.
A former prime minister being charged is not a national victory.
It is a reminder that something serious has happened somewhere along the way.
Every case should still be judged on its own facts.
A charge is not a conviction. The accused are entitled to due process, and the courts should determine the outcome.
That should apply whether we support the politician in the dock or have never voted for him.
The public deserves better
The frustration is not simply about the three men in court today. It is about what they represent.
For years, Malaysians have watched governments change, political alliances collapse and leaders promise reform.
They have watched political battles dominate public attention, while questions over governance and leadership continue to follow those who once held the highest office.
Ordinary Malaysians deserve political leadership they can trust. Leadership that is focused not only on winning power, but on using it responsibly.
They should not have to look back at successive governments and see former leaders repeatedly facing serious legal proceedings after leaving office.
Malaysia should expect better from the people entrusted to lead it.
Political power should come with responsibility, not just authority. Leaving office should not be the point at which accountability finally begins.
What should we take from Thursday?
Malaysia should expect better from the people who lead it.
Political power should come with responsibility, not just authority. Leaving office should not be the point at which accountability finally begins.
Three former prime ministers, three different cases and one extraordinary day.
For Malaysians, perhaps the most disappointing part is not seeing former leaders in court.
It is having to see this as a reflection of the political leadership we have had.