KUALA LUMPUR – Some 150 supporters of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak have gathered at Gate 3 of Istana Negara here.
It is believed they are there to appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to issue a royal pardon for the former Umno president, who is now in prison serving a 12-year sentence after the Federal Court upheld his SRC International conviction yesterday.
Much to the chagrin of those in the area, the supporters have caused traffic congestion along much of Jalan Sri Hartamas 1 here.
It is understood that traffic is backed up all the way to the government offices near Jalan Duta.
One individual working in an office building near the palace told The Vibes that the group is “causing a lot of ruckus and traffic jams”.
He also lamented that “these people are advocating for a corrupt former prime minister to be set free”.
At 2.30pm, the crowd crossed the road towards the palace and was met by more than 30 police officers, including those from the light strike unit.
Representing the group is Pertubuhan Jalinan Perpaduan Negara Malaysia (PJPNM), which presented a memorandum to the palace, calling for an immediate royal pardon for Najib.
They also called for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to “come to the palace immediately”, and the group was later met by a representative from the palace who received the memorandum.
Speaking to The Vibes, PJPNM president Syed Mohammad Imran Syed Abdul Aziz said: “A royal pardon must be given (to Najib) immediately! We will not move even an inch until the prime minister and the Umno president come to the palace.”
At approximately 3.20pm, the crowd dispersed without incident. – The Vibes, August 24, 2022
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— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) August 24, 2022
Close to 150 supporters of imprisoned former PM @NajibRazak have gathered near Gate 3 of the Istana Negara.
As a result of the gathering, traffic along much of Jalan Sri Hartamas 1 is heavily congested.
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