UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is irresponsible to call Najib Razak’s trial selective prosecution or insist the jailed politician be given justice in court, Muda said today.

Muda secretary-general Amir Abd Hadi said Zahid’s speech at the recent Umno General Assembly gave the judiciary and the unity government a bad image.

“Zahid is also a deputy prime minister and not in the opposition,” Amir said in a statement.

“His statement gives the impression that the court decision was made unfairly.

“This can erode the people’s trust in the country’s judicial institutions.

“It can also lead to a bad perception of the government.”

On Wednesday, at the Umno assembly, Zahid said Najib was a victim of political and selected prosecution.

He said the “Bossku” factor, synonymous with Najib, was one of the main contributors to the return of people’s support for the party.

Amir said Muda will try to ensure that there is no political interference in ongoing court cases.

Najib, 69, is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for misappropriating RM42 million of SRC International funds. He was also fined RM210 million.

He began his sentence on August 23 last year, after the Federal Court dismissed his appeal, upholding the decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal. – January 15, 2023.