UMNO must move on and rejuvenate itself, focusing on the party rather than individuals, former youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said following Najib Razak’s graft convictions in the SRC International trial today.

The science, technology and innovation minister said the guilty verdict against Najib will impact the party in a significant way, although the former prime minister still has the chance to appeal.

“I am of the view that although he still has the room to file an appeal, this is the time for Umno to move forward as a political party and to carry out the rejuvenation process,” he said in a statement on his official website.

“Although everyone has the right to give Najib moral support, I hope the Umno as a party will not be dragged into the case.

“I am sure that Umno members will be loyal to the party, more than to any individual within the party,” the Rembau MP said.

Najib remains popular among a large segment of Malays who refer to him with his moniker “Bossku”.

Khairy, who was one of the first in Umno to call for Najib’s resignation as party president after Barisan Nasional’s loss in the 2018 general election, also said it is time for the party to transition to another generation of leaders who could take Umno into a new era.

Najib was convicted on seven charges and sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million, and five additional years in lieu of failure to pay the fine.

The 12-year jail sentence is for the single charge of abuse of power, while 10 years were given for each of the three charges of criminal breach of trust and three for money-laundering. All sentences are to run concurrently.

Najib, 67, faces more charges under four more criminal trials. – July 28, 2020.