Umno to be 'tight-lipped' on Najib's fate for now, say experts
SHAH ALAM - Umno is taking the silent approach on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's fate until the State Elections are held in July or August this year.
Tasmania University Asian Studies director Professor Dr James Chin said Umno is forced to be 'tight-lipped' as the former Pekan MP has been labeled with corruption which could have an impact on Malay voters.
Chin rejected the theory on Najib being abandoned by Umno as the party must remain silent to avoid tarnishing its image with 'court cluster' and 'corruption' labels for the upcoming state elections.
"The reason Umno grassroots including their leadership are silent on Najib is because his name would be synonymous with corruption, giving a negative image for the party's chances in winning the state elections.
"The situation may be different if he won both his court appeal processes. Umno's best measure is to ease pressure on Najib's issue is to remain silent until state elections pass.
"Other than Najib, Umno would also continue to remain silent on the court case faced by its president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)," he told Sinar.
He said such when commenting on the implications after the Federal Court rejected Najib's attempt to review the court decision maintaining his 12-year prison sentence as well as the fines for embezzling RM42 million of SRC International funds.
Following Najib's latest decision, leaderships who were pro for him claimed the grassroot leadership would not remain silent and is in the works to ensure 'Bossku' gains his rights for a fair trial in court.
Chin said Umno post Najib's imprisonment will focus on efforts to explain the unity government's achievements to restore confidence towards Malay voters who were seen favouring Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the 15th general election (GE15).
He added Umno now cooperating with Pakatan Harapan (PH) must show their supporters and Malay voters on the fence that Zahid and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can cooperate to fulfil the people's needs especially in economic recovery.
"Umno's major loss in GE15 had proven corruption is the main issue towards Malay voters as they now realised it is not merely selective prosecution towards Najib," he explained.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun agrees with the view that no party in Umno were sidelining Najib following the failure of the review appeal.
However, he saw the campaign to free Najib among the grassroot were slowing down.
"With Najib now in prison, the campaign to free him would be difficult to be implemented by his loyal followers," he said.
Oh said from another angle there are still questions whether Najib supporters including Umno grassroots could support any party efforts to become more moderate and less nationalistic post GE15.
"The nation's political landscape has changed along with Umno that is now part of the unity government led by PH.
"It is unsure whether Bossku supporters could join the new more moderate Umno in the biggest political clash with the green wave (PN) and the moderate coalition such as the Madani government," he stated.
