Justice for Najib as a human being, urges emotional Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR - Umno president Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi called for justice for the party's former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as a human being.

In an emotional moment in his policy speech at the 2023 Umno general assembly Zahid said that Najib's spirit, could still be felt in Dewan Merdeka.

He then proceeded to ask everyone in the hall to honour Najib, the hall then started chanting 'malu apa bossku' - Najib's popular tagline.

On August 23, 2022, Najib was found guilty of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering involving RM42 million belonging to SRC International.

"Our former leader, who is behind bars, is also praying and hoping that the Unity Government will recapture these six states for the upcoming state elections.We send our encouragement even though he is not physically present," the Bagan Datuk MP said in his speech at the party headquarters in Dewan Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTC) here today.

The upcoming state elections involves Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan.

Zahid further stressed that the Umno supreme council has not changed and remains steadfast in defending Najib's fate.

He also expressed his hopes for Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansur and family to always be patient.

Meanwhile, in a montage video played in the hall, Najib's son, Datuk Nizar Mohd Najib remarked that his father has never asked anyone or even Umno members to attack the Malay party’s leadership; in fact, he respects the leadership of the party and all the components of the unity government.

"My father never told Umno members to turn their backs on the Umno president, and this never happened," Nizar stressed.

Many were seen shedding tears after the video, including Zahid himself.

Yesterday, the Umno youth wing honoured Najib with the ‘Anugerah Tokoh Pemuda’ award, which was accepted by Nizar, who is also a delegate of the wing.

Upon receiving the award on behalf of his father, Nizar shed tears as a video montage recounted Najib’s journey in politics and Umno.

Also present in the Merdeka Hall were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president; DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke; and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.