At low-key Aidiladha do, Pekan folk remain staunch Najib defenders
Advertisement
THE first day of Hari Raya Aidiladha in Pekan this year was noticeably quieter than in previous years, as its member of parliament and disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak took celebrations a few notches down.
After praying at the newly built Sultan Ahmad mosque in the morning, Najib then returned to his family residence, Seri Kenangan.
Wearing a bright baju Melayu, Najib cut a lonely figure as he stood outside his home without family members or his usual entourage of supporters by his side.
Only around 30 locals gathered at his house, which also doubles as his service centre, to partake in the korban process, in which 10 cows were slaughtered and distributed.
Locals said in previous years, there would be more than 100 animals, and there were years where even a few camels were sacrificed.
After distributing packets of meat to the locals, Najib left immediately for Kuala Lumpur.
The obvious lack of pomp and lavishness at this year’s Aidiladha celebrations has not dented the former Umno leader’s image in the eyes of his constituents, who continue to defend Najib against all charges of corruption currently levelled against him.
“He has helped the people here. What’s wrong with us celebrating, even if people are saying bad things about him?” factory supervisor Mohd Fuzaimeea said to The Malaysian Insight.
Earlier this month, Najib was charged at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court with money laundering linked to SRC International Bhd, a former subsidiary of the troubled 1Malaysia Development Bhd state fund.
He now faces a total of seven charges. The earlier four on July 4 were three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of misusing his position.
All charges so far are linked to SRC International.
Another supporter from Pekan who refused to be named said the charges were slander from the Pakatan Harapan government wanting to paint a bad picture of Najib.
“This is all slander. They just want to make people hate him and make him the bad guy,” the housewife said. – August 22, 2018.