NAJIB Razak remains a hero in the eyes of most Pekan folk, who are insistent that the former prime minister is being wrongfully accused of corruption and embezzlement.

Najib resigned as Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president after the Pakatan Harapan coalition took over Putrajaya at the May 9 general election.

Despite BN suffering catastrophic losses in key seats around the country, Najib managed to retain Pekan with little trouble, thanks to the legacy of his late father and second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein.

Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, have both been barred from leaving Malaysia. They have been questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over their alleged involvement with a former 1Malaysia Development Bhd subsidiary SRC International, where millions of ringgit were transferred into Najib’s bank account

But the people of Pekan believe the charges against Najib are politically motivated.

“We think it is slander, backstabbing and people who want to soil the good name of Najib,” said businesswoman Anisah Hassan, 52, who attended Najib’s Hari Raya open house today.

“We don’t even take the (MACC investigations) into a consideration. We support him even stronger now,” she said.

Pekan voter Nuwana Abdul Karim said BN’s fall did not change how the people viewed him.

“He is still the same person. He is passionate for the people in Pekan.

“I hope Allah with always be with him and his family. I do not believe in the rumours. This is politics,” the restaurant owner said.

Gratitude and loyalty

Umno member Ahmad Fairuz Azman said the corruption probe was a ploy to tarnish Najib’s name.

“This is all slander,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Umno members are still with him. We hold on to our principles and are grateful for whatever he has done.”

Former soldier Huslan Zabidin also expressed a desire to show his loyalty and gratitude for the former prime minister, which prompted him to attend the open house earlier today.

“As an ex-leader, he should be remembered for all the sacrifices before for people in Pahang and Malaysia. The reason I came here is to make Hari Raya vibrant for Najib,” he said.

Najib’s open house this year was in stark contrast to the lavish events in Putrajata.

He said he hoped to have a “modest” and “homely” open house and was pleased with the small turnout of about 500 people.

Several Umno leaders, including Pahang Umno Youth chief Mohd Shahar Abdullah, who is Paya Besar MP and Pahang royalty, Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, also visited Najib today.

Last month, Najib’s residence in Jalan Langgak Duta and three luxury units at Pavilion Residences linked to him were raided after PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad pledged to reopen earlier-scuttled 1MDB investigations.

The raids at Pavilion Residences yielded RM114 million, 284 boxes of handbags, jewellery and watches. – June 15, 2018.