KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 12-year imprisonment will only strengthen Umno, said party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in quelling any suggestions that the political outfit will be incapacitated.
In a message ostensibly targeted at party rivals, Zahid said opponents are hoping to smother Umno’s “fire” by putting the former prime minister behind bars – an individual he said has contributed tremendously to the party.
However, the Bagan Datuk MP said critics will be proven wrong, insisting that Najib’s imprisonment will not be the end of Umno’s struggle to bring prosperity back to Malaysia.
“Instead, his story will be the source of our strength for us to remain united and be more enthusiastic in our fight,” he said in a Facebook post today, accompanied by a photo of him and Najib in an informal setting.
Najib began his 12-year prison sentence on Tuesday after failing in his final bid at the apex court to overturn a high court guilty verdict in his SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
In his heartfelt Facebook posting, Zahid commended his party colleague as being among the loyal Umno leaders who have stayed true to the party’s struggle.
This is despite efforts by political rivals to eliminate Umno, he said, including attempts to “hijack” the party for political expediency.
“Thanks to the determination of loyal Umno leaders and members, we succeeded in foiling their attempts.
“However, we can still witness how they continue to be deceptive in a bid to control and use Umno (for their benefit).”
Meanwhile, in an Instagram story last night, Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa said the former prime minister is still adjusting to life in prison, with new daily routines that are unlike his usual packed schedules.
She said this is according to Najib’s lawyers, who met him at the Kajang Prison.
“Tomorrow, we will be meeting Daddy when he goes to court for his 1Malaysia Development Bhd trial,” she said.
Nooryana also expressed her gratitude to prison officers whom she said are taking good care of Najib. – The Vibes, August 25, 2022
