Zahid to deliver special address to Umno leaders on Saturday

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to deliver a special address to hundreds of party leaders this Saturday. 

This follows the incarceration of former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday over corruption and abuse of power involving SRC International Sdn Bhd. 

In a Twitter post today, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said an official invitation would be handed out in due time. 

Standby, jemputan rasmi akan dibuat:

*Taklimat Khas Presiden*
*Sabtu 27/8/22 jam 2 ptg*
*Dewan Merdeka PWTC KL*
*Tentang Isu Semasa Terkini*
*Pakaian baju merah UMNO*
*Semua AJK UMNO Bahagian & pimpinan yg ingin hadir*

*(Ahmad B Maslan SUA UMNO)*
*Rabu 24/8/22 jam 9.15 pagi*

— Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) August 24, 2022

While he merely stated that the address will be on current issues, it is believed Zahid’s speech will focus on Najib’s imprisonment and the general election. 

The party president and several other top leaders have been campaigning for an early poll, purportedly to ensure an Umno and Barisan Nasional victory, although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has yet to succumb to these internal pressures. 

It is predicted that the election could be held as soon as after the Budget 2023 is tabled in Parliament this October.

According to Ahmad, the presidential address will take place at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre here at 2pm. 

The invitation is open to all Umno divisional committee members and other leaders who are interested to attend. 

The Federal Court had yesterday evening upheld the lower courts’ guilty verdict of Najib on all seven charges in his SRC International corruption case. 

He will serve 12 years in prison effective immediately and have to pay RM210 million in fine, becoming the first Malaysian prime minister to spend time behind bars. – The Vibes, August 24, 2022