NAJIB Razak, already convicted and facing more criminal trials, still remains influential among Malaysians as uncertainty hangs over the Muhyiddin Yassin-led government amid an uphill battle in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, said a politician and political analysts.

They said the former prime minister’s influence and popularity, despite not having any positions in Umno and the government, continues to grow because he is “taking the opportunity” to champion people’s problems.

Muhyiddin’s camp admitted they have to be aware of Najib as his ultimate aim was to topple the government.

Bersatu supreme council member Dr Muhammad Faiz Na’aman said Najib’s strong influence was affecting the Perikatan Nasional government.

“He is popular now because the country is facing a crisis. He has a lot of ammunition to criticise the government,” Faiz told The Malaysian Insight.

Faiz said Najib’s popularity has skyrocketed as he played to the sentiments of the people who were now emotional as the pandemic has affected their lives.

However, Faiz said, the Pekan lawmaker’s true agenda was to overthrow the government.

“The issues that he highlights represent the voice of the people and while those same issues are also discussed among PN leaders, they are not publicised,” he said.

He gave an example of Najib’s often-made suggestion that bank loans should be postponed and that people should be allowed to withdraw from their retirement fund.

“What they see is Najib voicing his criticisms and suggestions and ultimately the people start criticising the government.

“We view this as an agenda to attack the government and the ultimate goal is to bring down the government,” he said.

The 67-year-old Najib is one of the most vocal critics of the PN government.

He remains highly influential in Umno and has strongly backed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s decision to withdraw the party’s support for Muhyiddin.

Najib has even suggested that Umno MPs who failed to toe the party line on this matter face action.

His social media postings are highly critical of the ministers, including those from Umno, in handling the pandemic and economy, often urging the government to implement policies to help the people.

Najib’s comeback

Dr Mazlan Ali, a political lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said it was not impossible for Najib to make a comeback in politics if he manages to get his conviction overturned and escapes further criminal charges.

“Najib is at the right place at the right time. He is good at taking advantage and championing the rights of the people who are under a lot of stress due to the pandemic.

“When you are in need and someone reaches out to help you, you will welcome it.

“The people enjoy seeing Najib voicing out their issues.

“So it is not impossible for him to make a comeback in politics, including becoming prime minister again, especially if he is successful in his appeals,” Mazlan said.

Mazlan added that the 1MDB scandal, which involved the embezzlement of the sovereign wealth fund and had implicated Najib, was not an obstacle for the Pekan MP as the people no longer cared about that issue.

“We don’t know when the lockdown will end. Many have lost their jobs and have had to resort to asking for food aid through the white flag movement.

“They have forgotten about 1MDB. Furthermore, the matter has been heard in court. The people are no longer concerned with it,” he said.

Mazlan said Malay support for Umno was still strong and this could springboard Najib’s return.

“Umno still has the support of 65% of the Malays. This is also Najib’s political base.

“With his popularity, we cannot deny that he has a chance to make a comeback,” he said.

Facing criminal charges

Political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya also did not rule out Najib as one of the most influential leaders whose popularity has surpassed the prime minister and other PN ministers.

He said Najib’s popularity would give Umno an edge to return to power after Barisan Nasional lost in the 14th general election.

“Umno is now more stable and grassroots support stronger,” he said.

Awang Azman said Najib’s influence and his continued criticism of the government’s policies have affected Bersatu and PN.

“The people are in support of Najib criticising the government, to the point that PN is not popular among the people.

“As a result, Bersatu has become less influential as the party lacks influential members,” he said.

Najib resigned as Umno president and BN chairman when he failed to regain the people’s mandate after GE14 in May 2018.

Following that, the Pakatan Harapan administration opened an investigation into the 1MDB scandal and Najib was charged with 42 counts of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering.

In July last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court found Najib guilty of seven charges in relation to criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money-laundering involving RM42 million from 1MDB’s subsidiary SRC International. He was also sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million.

On May 18, the Court of Appeal reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Najib against the conviction and sentence passed in the high court to an unspecified date.

He also has several other criminal cases ongoing. – July 10, 2021.