Umno using Najib's jailing as strategy not a smart move, says political analyst

SHAH ALAM – Umno's action using the issue of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s jailing might not be such a strategic move to gain supporters for the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).

Political analyst Professor Dr Mohd Aizuddin Mohd Sani said it was not a smart move as they have been doing it in their previous campaigns and for political funding.

“It is not smart because they kept on relying on Najib, maybe it is because he is their “big guy”, their main leader and even one of the most influential leaders in Umno,” he said.

He said Umno will probably use Najib to gain sympathy votes especially from those who have gained from his policies during his administration.

He said he was of the opinion that Umno should not be relying too much on Najib because the people now were not really supporting the former prime minister.

He added that there were probably only a small number, mostly from the rural areas who still supported Najib.

“Najib somehow helped them during his administration so those people will vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) as they sympathised with Najib,” he said.

However, he said the current trend for fence-sitters and young voters might not be the same as the issue with Najib might not mean so much to them as they were thinking about more relevant issues to their situation such as work and academic opportunities and health, among others.

“Whatever strategies used by Umno, be it the issue of Najib or other things, it won’t turn them around,” he said.

Aizuddin said Umno needed to present other issues besides about Najib such as the economic progress or political stability in order to get people to support them.

In terms of Najib’s case and the whole fiasco of his royal pardon petition, Aizuddin said it would be too soon for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide because there needs to be a solid reason to pardon Najib.

“Another thing, the SRC International case is not Najib’s only case, he has other ongoing cases as well. It’s not an easy task to find ways to grant him a pardon.

“Umno really needs to use more relevant issues to win the hearts and minds of the people,” he said.

Asked about the possibility of Umno losing fence voters, he said one of the most important thing for Umno to do was to get rid of its image as a corrupted party “That is crucial and they have to address it as it has became a common knowledge and perception among the voters in general.

“People now have other parties to choose from, they have many other choices that they can pick,” he said.

He also said Umno and BN’s long experience in governing the country might be a helping hand to gain victory in GE15.

On Umno’s special meeting that was held yesterday, he said it was for Umno to strengthen themselves as they were seen to be divided among themselves.

“There’s team president and team PM, so they try to call everybody and prepare themselves to move forward for the election,” he said.

He said the Umno members were well aware that currently many of the party’s leaders were disappointed with the lack of intervention from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob regarding Najib’s case.

“I think it is ridiculous to expect the PM to intervene because he has no right to intervene with judicial matters,” he said.

He also said even though yesterday’s special meeting was held to clarify and strengthen Umno’s common ground, it would not be easy at the moment as having only one meeting would not be enough.

“Three needs to be a continuous engagement among all parties to find the best solution,” he said.

On Saturday, Umno held a special meeting at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur and the discussion on Najib’s case and imprisonment was one of the main topics.

Also present were Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, vice president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Umno Wanita chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos, Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin as well as other division chiefs and supporters.

Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and her daughter Nooryana Najwa were also present during the meeting.