KUALA LUMPUR: Umno delegates are crying foul over a purportedly provocative poster distributed at the party’s general assembly today, demanding the release of its former president Najib Razak.
The poster accused Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also a deputy prime minister, and law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said of breaking “promises”.
“Najib is still in prison, while promises remain just promises. What’s the use of making promises if they go unfulfilled,” said the poster, which included photoshopped pictures of Zahid and Azalina having their mouths zipped.
A delegate from Melaka, Osman Paiman, 70, said the poster could disrupt the relationship between grassroots members and the party leadership.
“It’s inappropriate. This is a major assembly for party members to listen to the president’s mandate,” he told FMT, adding that the poster was “slanderous”.
“I suspect it is sabotage. This is the work of hypocrites,” Osman said when met at the World Trade Centre here.
Perak Umno delegate Nazatul Syima, 60, also voiced concern over the contents of the poster.
Although the poster had good intentions to express support for Najib, she said, it was not done the right way and could cause all sorts of negative perceptions.
“They might want (Umno) to take firm action to help Najib, but this approach seems crude with the provocative content. This is not the right way,” she said.
Checks by FMT found the posters placed on motorcycles and windscreens of cars parked around the Umno headquarters. The general assembly ends tomorrow.
Earlier today, FMT quoted several Umno grassroots leaders as saying the party must help Najib, who is serving his 12-year jail sentence over the SRC International case, or they will not campaign for the coming state elections.
Chants of “Bebas Bossku” and “Hidup Bossku”, in reference to Najib’s nickname, also broke out among delegates at the annual general assembly earlier towards the end of Zahid’s opening speech.