KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s imprisonment during Umno’s federal rule is a clear indication that the party does not interfere in the court process, according to an Umno leader.
Johor Umno deputy chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the recent development involving the beleaguered Pekan MP runs contrary to claims by certain quarters that Umno has its hands in influencing the judiciary.
Chiefly, the former deputy home minister took aim at electoral watchdog Bersih over its statement last Saturday saying it rejects calls by certain factions within Umno to expedite the general election as a bid to save more corrupt leaders from ending up in prison.
“To me, this excuse is completely moot, as even today, Najib was sent to prison although the government is led by an Umno vice-president,” he said in a lengthy Facebook post today.
“This proves Umno does not influence the judicial institution as was done by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government before this, when it selectively prosecuted Umno leaders.”
Najib was ordered to serve his 12-year prison sentence beginning August 23 after the Federal Court upheld the lower court’s guilty verdict in his SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption case.
His imprisonment had infuriated those aligned to him in Umno, who gathered last Saturday for a special briefing by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as they demanded for justice and early election.
Pakatan running out of ammo to attack BN?
Jazlan said the spirit and confidence shown by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) are beginning to petrify those in PH and Perikatan Nasional (PN), whom he said are worried they would be defeated should elections be called soon.
He said this was why certain quarters are making personal attacks against Umno, including a supposed attempt by the Attorney-General’s Chambers to expedite Zahid’s trial, questioning the existence of political interference.
Jazlan added that the excuse given by PH to hold off the election, supposedly in the interest of the people, is an indication that the opposition coalition is concerned about its own fate following a failed 22 months in federal power.
“They know if the election is held today, the rakyat will punish them. They have also run out of political ammunition to attack Umno-BN. The Najib issue has expired, so has the issue of littoral combat ships (LCS), as no Umno leaders are implicated.”
The situation in PN, Jazlan said, is no better, with PAS wanting to use its own logo in states under its control, which the Umno man said indicates a lack of confidence in the PN banner.
Meanwhile, he noted the overtures made by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to form a cooperation with other opposition parties, which have been rejected on multiple occasions.
“Behind Muhyiddin’s confidence that PN is prepared to face the general election, deep down, he is still afraid, because he knows his party Bersatu is getting weaker.”
Latiff to be dropped in coming polls?
On a separate matter, Jazlan said the recent statement by Muhyiddin, calling for a probe into Bersatu cabinet member Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad and his alleged involvement in the LCS project is a sign that the latter’s political career is about to come to an end.
This, he said, is purportedly to release the burden off Bersatu’s shoulders, fearing that it might cost the party in the election.
“Muhyiddin agreed for the authorities to probe into Latiff without him or any other Bersatu leaders standing up for a fellow party colleague.
“Muhyiddin’s aim is to sideline Latiff so that the latter doesn’t become a liability.
“Muhyiddin and Bersatu don’t want the LCS case or Latiff to be an ammo used by rival parties to attack them during the general election.”
Latiff was recently drawn into the LCS scandal after his name was implicated in a forensic audit report, in which he was named as the spouse of one Zainab Mohd Salleh, who allegedly siphoned millions of ringgit of project funds.
Latiff, who is special functions minister, has consistently denied his relationship with Zainab or having any involvement in the scandal. – The Vibes, August 31, 2022
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