Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's name is once again making the rounds despite being incarcerated for misappropriating RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
Although behind bars, 'Bossku' aura is still felt as his name is widely mentioned by leaders and the people until today.
On Wednesday, Bersatu information chief Senator Datuk Razali Idris challenged Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to free Najib if he thought the former Pekan member of parliament (MP) was innocent instead of blaming the previous administration for their fallouts.
Razali said that as the deputy prime minister, Zahif has the power to discuss with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar an appeal to free Najib.
He, however, alleged that the Bagan Datuk MP did not do so as he is 'afraid' of Najib's aura if he is freed.
Meanwhile, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim also urged the government to release Najib, who is currently jailed in Kajang Prison.
Zahid said Najib's release is important as he is the 'backbone' of Umno.
If the former Umno president is freed, this will help in strengthening the party and aid in the victory of the current Unity Government led by Anwar against its political opponent, he added.
It can't be denied that Najib's 'bossku' aura had helped Barisan Nasional (BN) emerge victorious in the Cameron Highlands by-election in 2019.
This was because the former prime minister's aura was felt by the people there, and Najib's presence in the constituency during the election was one of the reasons BN could retain the Cameron Highland seat.
Last September, Zahid said Najib's imprisonment would never end his 'bossku' aura, let alone weaken BN's strength.
He added that it is impossible for the Opposition to dim the 'bossku' aura as the slogan was actually referring to the people as the bosses of the leaders who administer the country.
The 'bossku' aura is strongly felt among the people and talked about every now and then by the opposition and leaders in the government.
The 'Bossku' slogan was chanted during the 2023 Umno General Assembly at Dewan Merdeka during Zahid's speech.
Najib, 70, was jailed 12 years and fined RM210 million after he was found guilty by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28, 2020, of three counts of criminal breach of trust and three counts of money laundering of RM42 million of SRC funds.
He was also convicted of abusing his power with regards to the RM4 billion Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) loan, which the cabinet approved via a government guarantee in two meetings that he chaired in August 2011 and March 2012.
A three-member Court of Appeal had upheld the conviction and sentence on Dec 8, 2021, and this was further confirmed by a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on Aug 23.