THE appointment of Najib Razak as chairman of the Barisan Nasional advisory board is regressive, said former BN secretary-general Nazri Aziz.

The outspoken former cabinet minister accused Najib as the reason why BN lost in the 14th general election (GE14), adding that there is nothing he could contribute to making the coalition or Umno strong again.

“Who was in charge when BN lost in GE14?

“What kind of advice can he give us?” Nazri told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

“I don’t think it will strengthen Umno, it is regressive,” he added.

Najib was named chairman of BN’s advisory council in a unanimous decision by the coalition’s supreme council, BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced last night.

Nazri said the matter should have also been brought to the Umno Supreme Council.

“I think it should have gone through Umno’s Supreme Council, but as I don’t have a position there, I would not know.

“Or perhaps his appointment is meant as a provocation to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” Nazri added.

Najib is currently on trial for criminal breach of trust, money-laundering and power abuse in connection with SRC International, formerly a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

He also faces other charges of corruption and money laundering in connection with 1MDB, besides other charges related to 1MDB’s dealings with the International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC).

Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein did not criticise Najib’s appointment directly but said there was nothing that could be done but to wait and see developments after this.

“We (Umno) have to prove our sincerity through our actions.

“The appointment has been made so we will wait to see what happens. Change cannot take place overnight,” he said.

Opposition leader and Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, however, praised Najib’s appointment and said it would restore Umno to its former glory. – July 10, 2019.