KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has revealed that he visited former prime minister Najib Razak in Kajang prison to express the party’s unwavering commitment to push for his release.
Zahid told the Umno general assembly that he was accompanied by Umno Supreme Council member Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and spent nearly two hours with Najib.
“I also brought all of his favourite food and engaged in a one-on-one meeting with Najib for more than an hour” he said.
“While I won’t delve into the specifics of our conversation, I want to emphasise that the mandate from all divisions and the Supreme Council remains committed to defending Najib and ensuring that he receives fair justice.”
He also revealed that Najib is currently pursuing a PhD while in prison.
More Najibs will arise, says Zahid
Zahid told Umno members that although Najib was in jail, his struggle would be carried out by many more party members.
He said Najib’s three children had already taken up the challenge. “Najib is alone in jail but ‘three Najibs’ have emerged in this hall. God willing… Many more ‘new Najibs’ will emerge to continue his struggle,” he said, Malaysiakini reported.
Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa is a member of the Puteri Umno leadership, while his son Nazifuddin is head of Umno’s Langkawi division and another son Nizar is deputy chief of the Pekan division.
Earlier today, Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, urged Umno members to continue with the push for his release and hoped they will continue to appreciate Najib’s struggles and contribution to the nation as prime minister.
Yesterday, chants of “Bebas Bossku” and “Hidup Bossku” echoed in the assembly hall after Zahid pledged that the party would continue to fight for Najib’s release.
Umno members were earlier seen carrying posters with the message “Justice For Najib Razak” as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was the guest of honour, entered the party headquarters.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence after he was convicted in the SRC International corruption case. His lawyers and supporters claim he was not granted a fair trial. Moves to seek a royal pardon, supported by Umno, were initiated in April.