Najib a boon, not liability for Umno, say party leaders

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 19 Feb 2019 7:00AM · 5 Comments

A large crowd of shoppers at the Tesco supermarket in Semenyih surrounding Najib Razak recently. Opposition leaders say while the former prime minister is facing multiple counts of corruption, he is campaigning in his own capacity. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 19, 2019.

NAJIB Razak is not a liability for Umno and will continue to campaign for the party as long as he can help them, said Barisan Nasional and Umno leaders.

BN secretary-general Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said even though the former prime minister has been charged with abuse of power and corruption linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), Najib has not been proven guilty.

“There is nothing to stop someone from campaigning. Najib is not a liability for Umno. He has only been charged and his case is just about to begin. We have to wait for the decision,” Nazri told The Malaysian Insight.

“He is only human. Umno has no objections and we welcome him as long as Umno can win. Who can decide if he is a liability or not?”

Nazri said this in response to a recent report by think-tank Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE) on Najib’s liability in the Semenyih by-election despite his growing online popularity.

Wanita Umno head Noraini Ahmad said the IDE report was biased and undertaken with the sole intention of discrediting Najib.

“If IDE is owned by Pakatan Harapan, why do they want to produce a good story for their rival? That is why they want to stop Najib from coming (to Semenyih),” she said.

“They feel Najib is a threat because when he comes, he is mobbed by many. Maybe they are worried about the outcome.

“How can they stop him? Produce a narrative that he is a liability. If Najib is a liability, they should be happy that he is here in Semenyih,” she added.

Wanita Umno head Noraini Ahmad says the IDE report is biased and was undertaken with the sole intention of discrediting Najib Razak. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 19, 2019.

Last week, Najib spent an hour at a Tesco supermarket in Semenyih, where he was welcomed by a crowd of shoppers eager to get up close and personal with the Pekan MP.

However, an IDE report said that only Mat Rempit (bikers) welcomed the leader and even then, were just there to poke fun.

Noraini said PH should not interfere in Umno’s affairs.

“What Najib is doing is on his own capacity. He is still an MP, an Umno member and former president.”

Political commentator Ahmad Atory Hussain said the public is no longer interested in Najib’s graft cases as they are more preoccupied by rising cost of living issues.

“The people are not following the 1MDB case any more. They are worried about the price of fuel and goods, and housing issues in Selangor,” he said.

Atory said concern about these issues is why Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is increasingly concerned that PH is losing the support of Malay voters.

“Dr Mahathir is probably worried about changes in the way Malays are behaving, not just in Cameron Highlands but all across the country.” – February 19, 2019.

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Comments

  • He is an MP for Pekan but you never hear him fighting for his constituents, only himself. But I have a theory about the crowds. They are much like in medieval times, flocking to see the condemned before they were hanged, just to be able to say they saw the person just before they died. Ghoulish behaviour has not died out but can be seen today in all the selfie hunters. They all want a photo with this man who will shortly have to face the courts.

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Birds of afeather flock together

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • PENCURI SOKONG PENCURI

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • Actually it is not bad that this lanun for now prior to being incacerated becomes a thorn in PH ass. Let him do his role to keep PH on the toes and not to take the rakyat for granted!! Since the trail is on going process and yet to recoup back all the money stolen, lets sap on his energy and utilise it for the rakyat advantage.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • If the AG office didnt bungle Najib would be on trial now.

    Posted 7 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply