Azmi Hassan, a fellow at the National Council of Professors, also said that PAS’s focus on the alleged royal addendum at the heart of the issue was intriguing.

“The question is, why is PAS so invested in monitoring Najib and following the addendum issue?” he told FMT.

Yesterday’s solidarity rally saw the attendance of prominent PAS leaders, including its secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

PAS had proceeded with the rally despite Umno’s withdrawal following a statement by Istana Negara and advice from the police against public participation in the rally.

The Islamic party maintained that it was neither disrespecting the king’s call nor violating constitutional provisions or pardon board proceedings.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said that some Umno leaders at the rally seemed torn between following party directives and supporting Najib.

“Umno warned its members against joining the gathering, but some attended in their personal capacity.

“They are torn between adhering to Umno’s stance and supporting the Malay agenda championed by PAS and Bersatu,” she said.

The Umno leaders present at the rally included youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, Supreme Council member Sharkar Shamsudin, and Zahida Zarik Khan.

Syaza suggested that PAS and its ally Bersatu, both political rivals of Umno, were leveraging the addendum issue to gain Malay support.

“They are framing their involvement around calls for justice in the judicial system,” she said.

“However, Najib’s case is already going through the judicial process. They’re simply taking advantage of every opportunity to command public attention.”