Again, there is a more humane and logical explanation for the zeal with which the authorities in Braintree pried open this painful case in 2010: for officials there, the inquest offered a way to purge past misconduct and exorcise an old form of government.
Both have been haunted by controversy, Mr. Anwar in the form of repeated allegations of sexual misconduct, and Mr. Najib by his aide's conviction for murder in the case of Mongolian model Altathuya Shaariibuu.