THE opposition’s tactics of using Umno leaders who are facing criminal trials will not work in Johor, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hassan said today.

The Barisan Nasional deputy chairman said the elections in the state are not related to these leaders who are popularly referred to as the “court cluster”.

“I’m not sure the court cluster will be a problem in the Johor polls. I think the opposition has no other issues to influence the people.

“This is the only tune they want to repeatedly play,” he said during a press conference after meeting the BN machinery in Machap today.

The Johor elections director further said that BN’s chances of winning in Johor were not dependent on these leaders who are facing trials.

“Even if we win in Johor, what has it got to do with the court cluster? Are they contesting? No, will the trial judges be impacted by the outcome in Johor? No!

“Even when we won big in Malacca, nothing changed in Najib’s trial. Zahid also has to defend himself.”

Among Umno leaders facing trials are former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Najib has been found guilty, and has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million on seven charges of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering. The appeal is before the Federal Court now, and he faces several other cases.

Zahid meanwhile is facing 47 charges of breach of trust, corruption and money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi. – February 28, 2022.