A memo that went viral on Dec 28 regarding a Pas-organised rally "Solidariti Bersama Najib Razak Menuntut Keadilan" (Solidarity with Najib Razak in Demanding Justice) which will take place at the Palace of Justice, Putrajaya on Jan 6 has sparked various reactions and speculations, heating up the political climate in the country.
Although it appeared to be an act of solidarity, the rally has sparked heated debate, with many viewing it as a political move rather than a genuine attempt to support the plight of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is in prison.
This push for sympathy towards Najib was also seen as a new tactic by certain political figures to consolidate support, particularly among the Malay community.
What was more concerning was issues like rebuilding ties between Umno and Pas and tensions with DAP further hinted at political instability that could significantly impact the unity government coalition.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Liberal Communications senior lecturer Dr Abdul Aziz Azizam said the rally also signalled that Najib was being used as a symbol or tool to demonstrate the political power held by Pas and BN.
"I believe this is not merely a political strategy but a demonstration of power in today's political landscape. Logically, this solidarity rally will not yield any results for Najib.
"Najib is merely a tool being used to showcase the power of these two parties within their respective blocs. Although Najib's name is leveraged for political battles, court decisions must be respected and no one can overturn them," he told Sinar.
Abdul Aziz said Pas' goal was not solely about solidarity, but rather about exerting pressure to strengthen its relationship with Umno.
He said solidarity with Najib was not their primary focus and that Pas was more interested in capitalising on larger political objectives.
"This move appears to be a shrewd political strategy by Pas to create cracks within the unity government, particularly between Umno and other parties with differing narratives," he said.
He added that in terms of political power, both Pas and Umno have clearly demonstrated their strength and resilience in maintaining their positions and influence.
"Whether within the opposition bloc or the government, both parties have shown their respective invulnerability. However, I am confident that they will not face any action from their coalition partners.
"PKR and DAP will not dare to remove Umno from the current government composition, while Bersatu and other parties in the opposition bloc are also unlikely to take action against Pas," he said.
Meanwhile, UiTM Political Science senior lecturer Dr Ariff Aizuddin Azlan said using Najib as a tool to garner sympathy among Malays must stop.
He warned that if left unaddressed, it could create negative perceptions among the public, portraying the country’s institutions and judiciary as ineffective.
"If a large segment of society buys into this campaign style, it will further fragment the social structure," he said.
He also expressed concern about Umno's sincerity as a partner in the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Over the time, he said the country has witnesses a series of disputes involving Umno and PH members, especially on sensitive issues such as Malay and Islamic matters.
He said the vocal exchanges between some Umno and DAP leaders, often critical in tone, strengthened the perception that Anwar’s government structure may struggle to endure until the next general election.
Ariff also addressed claims by DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng that any programme involving Pas, be it a solidarity rally or a demonstration, raises doubts about Umno’s position in the unity government.
"Such claims are valid because even minor issues can lead to fragmentation.
"Although Umno and Pas are not under the same political coalition, the public will begin to question the actual stability of the unity government if these two parties continue collaborating on certain issues," he added.