KUALA LUMPUR: Several delegates have called on the Umno leadership to seek ways to help their imprisoned former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying he has made significant contributions to the party and country.
The leaders must “ensure fairness and justice” for the former prime minister, they said.
“Bossku (Najib) has done so much for all of us, for Umno and the people. His contributions are immeasurable,” said Sabah delegate Ghazalie Ansing in his debate at the Umno general assembly yesterday.
“He has helped Sabah so much. Please help him now,” he added.
Echoing the call, Pahang delegate Fadzli Mohamad Kamal said the party leadership must do something to uphold justice “in line with the Rukun Negara”.
“It will be the last chance for Bossku to seek justice after his request to replace his defence lawyer was denied, restricting the presentation of new evidence, and was punished by the judge who had a conflict of interest.
“Pahang pleaded to the authorities and party as well as the government to do something right in upholding justice in accordance with Rukun Negara principles,” said Fadzli, who is also Umno Raub Youth chief.
Fadzli added that Najib had contributed a lot to the party and country, hence he deserved to be helped.
Perlis delegate Hamizan Hasan said Umno members must pray for the former prime minister’s case to be treated fairly. “I pray that Allah will help Najib so that justice can be upheld in his case,” he said.
On Jan 5, Najib filed a petition with the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to seek his release from prison or a retrial of his SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
He has been serving jail time since August last year after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal against his conviction in the case over the misappropriation of SRC funds amounting to RM42mil.
Earlier in his presidential address, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi demanded a “fair trial” for Najib who, he claimed, was a victim of political persecution and selective prosecution.
