KUALA LUMPUR – Strategies to overcome the people’s troubles remain a constant in the mind of incarcerated former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
An evidently emotional Rosmah reminisced on how prior to beginning his 12-year prison sentence last year, the ex-Umno president would often share with her his worries regarding the rakyat's welfare.
“I tell you, he (Najib) is always thinking about the rakyat and the country,” Rosmah, clad in party colours, said at the Umno general assembly here today when spotted by reporters.
“Sometimes, he would be deep in thought when we were in the car together. When I asked him what was on his mind, he would say that he is thinking about what else the rakyat lacks and what more he can do for them.”
Looking back on Najib’s time as the top Umno leader, Rosmah said that her husband, who is serving jail time over graft-related conviction, would always put a lot of thought into his speeches to party delegates during the annual general assemblies.
“Of course, I’m sad that (Najib) is not here with us (for this year’s party general assembly).
“I sometimes think back on how, when he was our president, he would be on stage planning his speech to delegates (on) how he will help the Malays and Malaysia,” she said, while taking the opportunity to thank party members for their enthusiastic solidarity with her jailed husband.
Expressing her gratitude to delegates who had yesterday cheered for Najib’s release from prison during Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s policy speech, Rosmah said that she was “touched” by the display of support.
“I can feel how much they appreciate my husband’s fight and I know that they’re hoping for him to be freed as soon as possible,” she said.
“In their hearts, they know that (Najib) was not afforded a fair trial, which is why they now want justice for (Najib),” she claimed.
Yesterday, the historic Dewan Merdeka reverberated with impassioned calls for Najib’s release from prison, with the crowd of nearly 3,000 delegates chanting “Bebas Bossku” and “Hidup Bossku”, referring to Najib’s infamous moniker.
Their chants were led by Zahid as he told Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was also in attendance, to “see for himself” the genuine sentiments of Umno members.
During Anwar’s entrance to the hall, throngs of delegates were seen holding up posters displaying their solidarity with Najib, who was convicted in the RM42-million SRC International Bhd graft case linked with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.
The Umno Supreme Council has since filed for a royal pardon to be granted to Najib, following the Federal Court’s decision to reject his review application to overturn his conviction. – The Vibes, June 10, 2023
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