UMNO is depending on the popular Najib Razak to win support for the party as it stands solo in the Malacca elections, said  political observers.

They noted that success at the polls would have an effect on Umno elections and could lead Najib making a comeback in the party leadership.

The court recently granted the former Umno president his passport back so that he could travel to Singapore to attend the birth of his grandchild.

However, the Pekan MP has elected to delay his trip to supervise the election campaign as Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be away in Germany for medical treatment.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomudin Bakar told The Malaysian Insight that Najib had proved that he could turn things around for BN in several by-elections.

He said that Najib’s social media interaction had won support, especially from folk in the rural areas.

“He is very popular on Facebook with his ‘Malu apa bosku’ tagline. He has effectively built an image and caught the attention of the Malays especially in rural areas.

“His personal campaign has had a huge impact on BN wins in Cameron Highlands and Tanjung Piai,” said Hisomudin.

Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Najib is the right person to lead the campaign in Malacca.

“He has influence, especially over division leaders, and he is close to the grassroots,” he said.

“He is Umno’s best choice in Malacca. Umno ministers are not as popular as Najib because they are perceived to be more closely linked to Bersatu than with Umno.

“They need to strengthen the party machinery and if they can do that, I think a win is not impossible.”

The Malacca state assembly was dissolved last month after four assemblymen withdrew their support for chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

November 20 is polling day.

To Dr Oh Ei Sun, Najib appears to be accepted by the various faction in Umno.

The senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs described that Umno is divided into several factions both nationally and at the Malacca state level.

“Najib appears to be a party grandee acceptable to the various factions, and he also has his own personal electoral appeal.”

“So by making Najib head the election machinery, Umno hopes to ensure that its victory in Malacca is a resounding one,” he said.

On July 28, 2020, Najib was convicted of power abuse, money laundering and criminal breach of trust, and sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million.

The sentences are suspended pending appeal.

He is still facing multiple corruption charges in connection with 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds.

All three pundits agreed it was reasonable to expect Najib to make a political comeback and stand in party elections.

Hisomudin said Najib is heading in that direction while Mazlan believed the 68-year-old ex-prime minister would want to clear his name.

“He is accepted by many on social media and within Umno. Can he win in party elections? That’s another question. But he is heading towards repairing his image,” said Hisomudin.

“His narrative online has had a huge impact on the people. For him to make a political comeback is not surprising. I think he will go for the president’s or party adviser’s post,” said Mazlan.

Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Najib’s future would be determined by the courts.

“A comeback is not a problem for Najib but he has to make sure his court cases are settled. If he wins, he can make it but if he loses, it is hard to make a comeback,” said the Universiti Malaya senior lecturer. – October 24, 2021.