Wrapping up Umno assembly, Zahid says more Najibs will rise from party ranks
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wrapped up the party’s annual general assembly this year vowing to continue the campaign to free Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the disgraced former prime minister now serving a 12-year jail sentence for embezzling funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a 1MDB subsidiary.
Zahid suggested to delegates in a brief speech that Umno will never forget Najib’s contribution and that its supreme council has decided to make Najib’s freedom a key agenda, although it remains unclear how they plan to achieve this.
Zahid’s assertion followed calls by Najib’s children not to abandon the push to release the former Umno president, a topic repeatedly touched on by both debaters and leaders at this year’s congress.
“I appreciate what Yana, Nizar and (Nazifuddin) said. Trust me, there will be more Najib Razaks emerging from within Umno and they will continue the struggle fought by Najib Razak,” he said, referring to Najib’s three children Nooryana Najwa, Mohd Nizar and Mohammad Nazifuddin.
An Umno party member holds a ‘Solidarity for Najib Razak’ poster during the party’s 2023 general assembly at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur June 9, 2023. — Picture by Hari Anggara
The Umno president’s assurance about the party leadership’s commitment to exhaust all legal avenues to free Najib came amid rumours that some in Umno are getting restless about the campaign’s lack of progress.
That could explain why Zahid revealed in his wrapping up speech that he had spent an hour and a half with Najib at the Kajang Prison in a recent visit. The Umno president wouldn’t reveal what the two had talked about, but said he brought some of Najib’s favourite food and that they had dined together.
“I visited Najib Razak in Kajang Prison... I brought some of his favourite food and I had the privilege of having breakfast with him. In total, I spent an hour and a half with him. I won’t divulge our conversation. But I want to state that the MKT (supreme council) will remain committed to ensure Najib is delivered justice,” he said.
Zahid had openly said Umno would try to get Najib a royal pardon, suggesting that they could leverage their position as partners of the ruling coalition to get a favourable outcome. Zahid is one of two of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s deputies.
Anwar, who sits on the Pardon’s Board, has so far kept his distance from the issue but pledged not to interfere, while also stressing his commitment to eradicate corruption.
Some analysts believe Anwar’s statement was intended as damage control since Umno’s persistent push for Najib’s release could potentially unnerve many of Anwar and Pakatan Harapan supporters ahead of crucial local polls to decide who would govern six states.
