Najib among best PMs, says Johor Umno chief as he calls for 'justice'

Najib among best PMs, says Johor Umno chief as he calls for 'justice'

Published: Jul 21, 2024 10:40 PM


Johor Umno chairperson Onn Hafiz Ghazi has described Najib Abdul Razak as one of the country’s “best prime ministers” and that what happened to the incarcerated former Pekan MP was very sad.

Speaking at the Pekan Umno meeting today, Onn voiced hope that the Umno leadership would continue to fight for “justice for Najib”.

“I admit that I am very indebted to Najib because he is so sincere in working for the people, not the type of leader who 'acts' in front of the public and I believe many regretted what happened in the 14th general election.

“I myself still miss Najib because, for many things, he showed that he loved others (the people) more than himself," Onn said in his speech at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Convention Hall, near Pekan, Pahang, today.

Najib was Pekan MP from 1986 to 2022. The former premier is serving a prison sentence after being convicted in the SRC International corruption case.

He is also facing other trials, including four charges of abuse of power and 21 charges of money laundering involving 1MDB funds.

Ex-PM Najib Abdul Razak circa 2014


In the SRC case, he was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million. However, on Feb 2, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced it to six years in prison and a fine of RM50 million.

Najib is in the midst of applying for the remainder of his prison sentence to be served under house arrest.


Fight on

Commenting further, Onn reminded Umno leaders to continue fighting for Najib's release.

Johor MB Onn Hafiz Ghazi (centre)


“I believe Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other supreme council members are trying to help Najib even though we know the matter is not easy... need to go through certain processes, including the Pardons Board.

"However, we hope they will not stop fighting for Najib's release," the Johor menteri besar added.


Release before GE16

In the meantime, Pekan Umno expressed hope that Najib will get a proper defence and be released before GE16.

Its chief Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said the motion related to the matter was one of the main issues discussed in the Pekan Umno meeting today.

Umno’s Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff


“Umno Pekan is always indebted to Najib and considers him as a symbol that fuels our spirit in continuing the struggle within the party," he said when met by the media.

In addition to the motion for Najib's release, Pekan Umno will also focus on recapturing the Pulau Manis state seat - which is located in the Pekan parliamentary constituency - that Perikatan Nasional won in the last polls.

"We will try to recapture the Pulau Manis state assembly seat in GE16.

“What happened in the last general election was a mistake after the voters there made a decision based on PN's perception game," he claimed.

BN failed to defend Pulau Manis when its incumbent from Umno, Khairuddin Mahmud, received 9,133 votes, while the PN candidate, Rafiq Khan polled 13,064 votes.

However, BN managed to defend Pekan and three other state seats under it, namely Chini, Bebar and Peramu Jaya.