In a statement tonight, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said party leaders were now hoping that the Federal Court would be “fair” when hearing Najib’s final appeal.
“The Umno Supreme Council hopes that his appeal at the Federal Court will be a fair one as many believe that some of the charges after GE14 were part of political prosecution against the party,” he added.
“Umno believes that the country’s judicial system must always uphold the principle of justice.”
A three-member bench chaired by Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil yesterday unanimously dismissed Najib’s appeal to reverse the guilty verdict and sentencing over seven charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power handed out last year.
In July 2020, High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sentenced the Pekan MP to 12 years’ jail and fined him RM210 million after finding him guilty on all seven charges.
The court said Najib could remain free pending the outcome of his SRC International corruption case appeal to the Federal Court.
Ahmad said while yesterday’s Supreme Council meeting did not wish to disrespect the Court of Appeal, they were “disappointed” with the ruling.
Meanwhile, he said Umno wished to thank its voters and the party’s “excellent” machinery for Barisan Nasional’s (BN) landslide victory at last month’s Melaka state elections, where BN claimed 21 out of the 28 seats it contested.
He added the Supreme Council hoped that the new Melaka government would be able to carry out its duties to the best of its ability to ensure progress for the people of the state.
Ahmad also said the 2021 Umno general assembly would be held from Jan 13-15 next year in a hybrid setting at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
He added that Umno’s women, youth, Puteri and divisional delegates’ meetings would be held on Dec 11 and 12, as well as Dec 18, across the country.
He also said more than 20,000 branch meetings had been held from Oct 15 to Nov 30.
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