The Malaysian Insight

THE number of Najib Razak supporters has swelled at the court complex where the former prime minister and Umno president is being charged, joining high-ranking party leaders who began turning up as early as 7am.

As at press time, newly elected Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob was the most senior party leader at the Kuala Lumpur court complex in Jalan Duta.

Also spotted were the heads of all three Umno wings – Wanita Umno’s Noraini Ahmad, Youth chief Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Puteri Umno’s Zahida Zarik Khan.

Other Umno personalities who turned up include former minister and Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar, Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and former head of the Special Affairs Department Puad Zarkashi, who said he believed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had pressured authorities to charge Najib.    

Some supporters had come as far as Kelantan to show their support for Najib, who was Umno president from 2009.

Najib stepped down on May 11 after taking responsibility for the party’s historic loss in the 14th general election.

He is being charged today for allegedly misappropriating funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of troubled state firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Tajuddin said he turned up with some 30 others to provide “moral support” and pledged he and the others would not “abandon” Najib. 

“He has served for more than 40 years. You must think of the contributions he has made,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“If he has problems, we cannot just abandon him just like that. Yes, let the law take its course. But we as citizens must show our sympathy and offer moral support.” – July 4, 2018.