[UPDATED] ‘Daddy’ Najib cautions ‘political persecution’ could happen to anyone

KUALA LUMPUR – Imprisoned Datuk Seri Najib Razak has warned that his legal troubles are part of systematic political persecution and that it could happen to other Umno members.

Reading Najib’s message to some 3,000 party members during a special briefing at the World Trade Centre today was his daughter Nooryana Najwa, who earlier reiterated his contributions as prime minister, affectionately referring to him as “daddy” at every turn.

Najib has claimed that he was not accorded a fair trial as the court rejected his bid to adduce fresh evidence in relation to a purported conflict of interest involving high court judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

“I am asking for a fair trial. Even that was denied to me.”

Najib added that the court did not grant his new defence team enough time to prepare for the final appeal hearing at the Federal Court against his SRC International Bhd conviction last week.

Nazlan had found Najib guilty and sentenced him to 12 years in jail and a RM210 million fine.

“This is the first time in a criminal case that an appellant is not represented. The reasons given were mainly technical but not based on merit.

“I did not ask for my case to be dropped, just as what has been done during PH (Pakatan Harapan) in the case of Lim Guan Eng, Rafizi (Ramli), and others.

“I did not want to involve the party in my legal troubles but when I am constantly battered by these cunning people, I have no choice but to ask for help from the Umno president and members to speak out.

“If this could happen to me, a former prime minister and president of Umno, this could happen to anyone,” said Nooryana, while she read her father’s missive. 

Najib was arrested on July 3, 2018 and his trial started on April 3, 2019 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. The appellate court heard his appeal on April 5, 2021 and ruled to uphold the conviction on December 8 of the same year. 

The Federal Court also threw out applications to adduce fresh evidence, postpone the final appeal hearing, and for lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik to discharge himself.

Nooryana’s speech also touched on how dutiful her father was as a statesman who prioritised the people’s welfare.

She lamented his unfair treatment and that he had to be imprisoned in his golden years. Najib is 69.

“You should not be spending your life like this. Home is not the same without you. Your favourite red chair is empty.

“Even Kiki is waiting for you to return,” she said, referring to the family’s pet cat.

“Same goes for Facebook, there will be no more posts from Bossku and for the first time in 46 years, Bossku is not in this hall with us (Umno),” she added.

Nooryana however rallied the Umno crowd, reassuring them that the family and Najib’s supporters would not stop fighting for justice on his behalf.

When she took the stage earlier, she received huge applause and shouts of “Hidup Bossku!” in reference to Najib. – The Vibes, August 27, 2022