Who is Bossku campaigning for in Slim?

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 5 years ago · Published on 17 Aug 2020 7:00AM · 7 Comments

Najib Razak giving a speech at the Felda Trolak Selatan multipurpose hall in Slim, Perak, on Saturday. The former prime minister reminds settlers of all that he has done for them in his nine years in office. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 17, 2020.

AMID chants of “Bossku”, Najib Razak entered the Felda Trolak Selatan multipurpose hall at 9.30pm on Saturday.

Clad in a red baju melayu top, black slacks, a songkok and sandals, it was the former prime minister’s third “assignment” for the day. Nonetheless, he looked fresh, and spoke for more than 30 minutes.

Najib spent the morning with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and deputy president Mohamad Hasan at the launch of Barisan Nasional’s Slim by-election centre in Slim River, before heading to Felda Gunung Besout 1 for his first ceramah at 3.30pm.

Both speeches were almost identical. Najib spoke little about the BN candidate and more about two points that centred around himself.

He told the crowd that he was punished for giving 99% of the RM42 million he received from SRC International Sdn Bhd to charities.

“I gave RM600,000 to orphans, but I was fined five times the amount, RM3 million. And for giving RM600,000 to Umno for welfare activities, I was fined another RM1.5 million.

“I cannot criticise the judge’s decision, but I want to present the facts to the people for them to see whether it’s fair.”

Last month, the Kuala Lumpur High Court found Najib guilty of all seven charges related to the RM42 million that made its way into his personal account. He was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million.

The second point he emphasised in his ceramah was that he, as prime minister from 2009 to 2018, did more for Felda settlers than any other leader.

“Do you remember when we gave RM15,000 to each settler when I was the Felda minister?”

He asked the crowd whether they remember who started the agency. When the settlers replied “Umno”, he said: “It was also my father, Tun Razak.”

The former Umno president continued: “As such, I made it a point to do more for Felda when I was prime minister.”

Najib Razak speaking to Felda Gunung Besout 1 settlers at a mosque on Saturday. Despite his conviction and sentence in the SRC International case, the former prime minister maintains his image as a victim, fighter and saviour among Malays. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 17, 2020.

Charm offensive

Despite his conviction and sentence, which has been stayed pending an appeal, Najib, whose only formal posts now are Pekan MP and BN adviser, has maintained his image as a victim, fighter and saviour among Malay voters.

Posting regularly on Facebook, he recounts the cash aid his administration gave to Felda settlers and other needy groups. He has also campaigned in most of the by-elections in the peninsula held after the 2018 general election, winning over admirers with his Bossku brand.

Electoral data shows that the Slim contest is in BN’s favour and Najib last weekend appeared at ease as he mingled with residents and talked about local issues instead of politics.

Unlike the previous by-elections, Slim has seven Felda settlements contributing more than half of the constituency’s 22,815 registered voters. In the 2018 elections, the majority of the Felda vote – 51.1% – went to BN, while PAS took 29.2%. The Pakatan Harapan candidate got just 19.5%.

With BN enjoying PAS’ support via the Islamist party’s Muafakat Nasional alliance with Umno, it is likely that the coalition will retain the Perak state seat.

At Felda Gunung Besout 1, Najib spent 2½ hours with residents. After his speech ended about 4pm, he joined them for Asar prayers at the mosque before going on a walkabout. He sat at a stall for 45 minutes, chatting with local Umno leaders about issues related to palm oil and remarking how tasty the satay was.

Watching Najib’s entourage leave, Aziz Mohd said it was his first time seeing the man up close.

“He’s more approachable than I had expected,” said the 45-year-old second-generation settler.

“It was good of him to come here and explain things to us.”

Asked why he thought Najib came when an easy win for BN is expected, Aziz said: “Before and after the 2018 elections, he got a lot of bad press.

“I think he came here to clear his name and explain his side of things after the court case.

“And after hearing him today, I think he may have been unfairly treated.” – August 17, 2020.

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Comments

  • Who are you kidding Najib? The felda settlers who were happy with your brim. It's not 42m . Common!!!!!! How many billions? Lost count

    Posted 5 years ago by Zainuddin Yusoff · Reply

  • Pity he did not talk about making Felda a public company and also the billions lost in share value after he appointed Samad as chairman since many settlers are now holding shares that have degraded in value. This shows Najib is a hypocrite kleptocrat and the settlers are easily swayed by arguments which mask the dire straits they are in financially.

    Posted 5 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Those kampungs folks boleh la lu goreng as any amount that goes to their pocket will serve them

    Posted 5 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Oh goodness me! Will the settlers never learn? They struggle because of Najib and his cronies abusing Felda for their own benefit. Najib was given a fair trial. Saying he was treated unfairly is to question the impartiality of the judge.

    Posted 5 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • I think the AGC should look into how to manage Najib's contention to the public that he has been "unfairly" treated and picking and choosing examples of "unfairness" comparing his penalty being 5x of what he had "donated". That is of course half the story and not a truthful one at that.

    I do believe he is skirting close to "Contempt Of Court" if he continues to misrepresent his case and sentence.
    The AGC should address this ASAP to uphold the sanctity and independence of our Courts and Judiciary.

    Posted 5 years ago by Super Duper · Reply

    • The question is, will the new AG do it?

      Posted 5 years ago by Anwar Ismail · Reply

  • Feudalistic Malay mindset - so easily fooled by this crooked Najib. No wonder our country cannot progress.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply