KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hopes that there will be more party members emulating the values presented by his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is currently imprisoned over graft charges.
Speaking at the Umno general assembly here today, Zahid said that he envisions the corridors of the historic Dewan Merdeka to be filled with party members championing Najib’s principles.
“God-willing, there will be more (people like) Najib emerging on this stage and in this hall to continue (Najib’s) fight,” he said in his winding up speech.
“One (Najib) is in jail, but now there are three of him in this hall,” he added, referring to Najib’s three children: Puteri Umno exco Nooryana Najwa Najib, Pekan Umno division deputy chief Mohamad Nizar Najib, and Langkawi Umno chief Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib.
His comments were met with loud cheers from the crowd of nearly 3,000 party delegates, some of whom also shouted out their calls for Najib to be released from prison, chanting slogans such as “Bebas Bossku”, referring to Najib’s infamous moniker.
Besides that, Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, informed the audience that he had recently held a four-eyed meeting with Najib at the Kajang prison, where the latter has been serving his 12-year prison sentence after being convicted last year.
“I had the chance to have breakfast with (Najib) for about an hour and a half. I even brought him all his favourite food,” Zahid said.
He noted that the meeting had touched on how the Umno Supreme Council remains committed to their aim of ensuring Najib’s release from prison.
Earlier on, Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, had expressed her gratitude to delegates who have been vocal in their enthusiastic solidarity with her jailed husband.
She said Najib has always prioritised the people’s welfare.
Yesterday, Zahid told Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was also in attendance at the party’s general assembly’s proceedings, 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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