PETALING JAYA – The release of Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak remains the main focus of the majority of Umno grassroot members, said the party’s Supreme Council member Isham Jalil.
He said demanding the release of the former prime minister from prison is no longer a secret among Umno leadership and the unity government.
“If the unity government fails to ensure Najib gets proper justice in his court case conviction, Umno’s relationship with the government is going to face difficulties and risk failure,” he told Sinar Harian.
Isham said he is worried that Umno grassroots would continue to protest against the government if there is no seriousness in dealing with Najib’s case.
“This is especially so with Umno leadership facing difficulties in convincing party members to support DAP in the unity government,” he said.
Najib, a former Umno president, began his 12-year prison sentence on August 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his guilty verdict over embezzlement of funds in his SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption case.
Isham said there are still many grassroot members in Umno who are loyal supporters of Najib.
“The most asked question to Supreme Council members in any party event is what actions are the government and Umno taking in defending ‘Bossku’,” he said, referring to the popular moniker for the former premier who led the country from 2009 to 2018.
“Not only are Najib’s staunch supporters demanding justice for him, but also Malaysians who are neutral, including some former judges and lawyers who are voicing concern that Najib did not receive a fair trial,” he said.
In view of this, Isham said that if the government or Umno are not serious in defending Najib’s fate, the matter could further complicate the relationship between Umno and the rest of the unity government and could likely lead to failure.
On October 21, more than 2,000 Umno members rallied outside the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, calling for Najib to be granted a royal pardon.
A campaign is also ongoing to gather signatures from students in favour of the petition calling for his release. – The Vibes, November 7, 2023
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