[UPDATED] Najib’s family among 3,000 at special Umno meet

KUALA LUMPUR – It is a sea of red at the World Trade Centre here as Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to give a rousing speech to rally some 3,000 party members who showed up.

This is Umno’s third significant meeting this week – the same time former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak was sent to prison after the Federal Court upheld his SRC conviction.

In his welcoming speech, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan led the attendees in chanting “Hidup bossku” (“Long live my boss”) and “Malu apa, bossku” (“What is there to be ashamed of, my boss”) while recounting Najib’s contributions as prime minister to thunderous applause.

However, there was no mention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is party vice-president. He is not in attendance, as he is in Bera for constituency matters and events.

Also not in attendance is Ketereh Umno chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who is believed to be in his constituency today.

Other key notable speakers today include Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa, who is expected to present her father’s message to the party.

As of 2.30pm, thousands of Umno members are waiting at the Dewan Merdeka in WTC for the speeches.

Personnel on the ground have indicated that the hall is at full capacity with 3,000 people.

Other notable speakers expected to address party members are Najib’s defence lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who represented the former prime minister during the SRC final appeal before being discharged at the last minute.

Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, and Sembrong Umno chief and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein were also spotted in the hall.

At the venue, there were several banners with supportive words for Najib, while some were carrying placards with his face and the words “Hidup bossku” (“Long live my boss”).

There was also a section with several boxes for members to leave messages for Najib.

Three days ago, Ahmad shared details of today’s event, saying that the invitation was open to all divisional committee members and other leaders who are interested to attend. 

While he merely stated that the address will be on current issues, it is believed Zahid’s speech will focus on Najib’s imprisonment and the general election. 

The party president and several other top leaders have been campaigning for early polls, purportedly to ensure an Umno and Barisan Nasional victory, although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has yet to succumb to these internal pressures. 

The Federal Court had on Tuesday evening upheld the lower courts’ guilty verdict against Najib on all seven charges in his SRC International corruption case. 

He is serving 12 years in prison and has to pay RM210 million in fines, becoming the first former Malaysian prime minister to spend time behind bars. – The Vibes, August 27, 2022