KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is standing by convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying today that the latter’s “Bossku aura” is going strong despite no longer being the leader of the country.
Speaking at a lunch event, which saw the return of Mersing Bersatu chief Laili Yusof to Umno, the former deputy prime minister expressed his high regard for Najib.
“Najib’s Bossku aura has never faded.
“When he was prime minister, the level of his aura was very high and even when he is not the prime minister anymore, his aura continues to be strong enough to obtain support from the people,” he said.
He added that because of Najib’s influential and powerful presence, he is confident that Umno will gain a similar victory in the upcoming Johor polls as the ones that had been garnered in Melaka.
“For the Johor polls and any other election, we have and will continue to remain consistent in putting forth Najib as our main figure from Umno.
“We won in the Sabah and Melaka state elections. With God’s blessing, we will also win the next polls as Najib continues to fight for positive transformation for the people while strengthening Umno.”
He also took a swipe at Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN), claiming that the parties are attempting to “cloud” the minds of people as they are using similar colours as Umno and component party Barisan Nasional (BN).
“There is a party that is trying to replace Umno. Not only do they (Bersatu) have red as their party colour, but their coalition (PN) is also using the colour blue.
“These parties are using false colours to cloud citizens, especially voters. Umno and BN are the original red and blue.”
He added that he not only welcomes Laili’s return to Umno with open arms, but also former Tebrau Bersatu chief Mazlan Bujang who had on January 27 left Bersatu to become an independent candidate supporting the BN government.
“I accept Mazlan, Laili and any others, including those on branch levels. Umno is an open party, and if they do not want to enter Umno directly, we have Najib as the chairman of our advisory board.
“There are clauses that will allow them to be accepted into the party as direct members of BN.”
Najib was previously described as a “national embarrassment” by judge Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil on December 8 last year when the Court of Appeal had upheld the high court ruling that Najib was guilty on corruption charges involving SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
The ‘Malu apa Bossku’ slogan is part of Najib’s social media persona rebranding after the BN regime that he led was toppled in the 2018 general election.
The digital campaign had helped revitalise Umno, and by extension, BN in its darkest days, as it attracted the attention of youth due to its catchy tagline.
Zahid, meanwhile, will be taking the stand in his Yayasan Akalbudi trial after the high court here ordered him to enter his defence.
Presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the decision was made after the court found the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Zahid. – The Vibes, March 4, 2022
