Did not flee, so he is innocent - Ahmad Maslan defends Najib
Published: Apr 15, 2026 5:34 PM
Updated: 8:10 PM
Although former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has been convicted and incarcerated, his ardent supporters, including Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan, remain convinced of his innocence.
Their reasoning is simple: Najib, unlike others, did not flee.
The deputy works minister said the former premier’s willingness to face legal proceedings is clear proof of his confidence in his innocence.
Ahmad told Umno Online this after officiating the biennial general meeting of the Najib Razak Friends Club 87 at the party’s headquarters yesterday.
Referring to those who have fled, without naming anyone, he said: “The Najib Razak Friends Club is fully confident that he is not guilty even though he is serving a sentence. If they are not guilty, why do they run?”
“If they are truly confident, come back… defend yourselves. Those who are guilty are the ones who run. Najib, on the other hand, bravely goes in and out of court each year and remains confident he is not guilty.
Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan
“There are several individuals who fled and never returned, while Najib faces the courts because of his courage and his belief that he is not guilty,” he added.
Ahmad, who is also the Johor Umno deputy chief, said he continues to hope and pray that Najib will receive due justice.
“I pray for Najib’s well-being. Hopefully, there is light at the end of the tunnel for his release, through various possible means, and we will continue to pray for him,” he added.
Also present was Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.
“There are several individuals who fled and never returned, while Najib faces the courts because of his courage and his belief that he is not guilty,” he added.
Ahmad, who is also the Johor Umno deputy chief, said he continues to hope and pray that Najib will receive due justice.
“I pray for Najib’s well-being. Hopefully, there is light at the end of the tunnel for his release, through various possible means, and we will continue to pray for him,” he added.
Also present was Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.
Meeting of the Najib Razak Friends Club 87 with Naijb’s wife Rosmah Mansor (seated)
More prison sentences
The former prime minister was found guilty in 2020 and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in relation to the SRC International case. His sentence was later commuted to six years.
Last December, the High Court sentenced Najib to 15 years in prison for abuse of power and money laundering in his second major trial linked to the 1MDB scandal.
The former Pekan MP was accused of misappropriating nearly RM2.3 billion from the nation’s sovereign wealth fund.
He received four 15-year sentences for abuse of power, as well as five years each for 21 money laundering charges.
More prison sentences
The former prime minister was found guilty in 2020 and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in relation to the SRC International case. His sentence was later commuted to six years.
Last December, the High Court sentenced Najib to 15 years in prison for abuse of power and money laundering in his second major trial linked to the 1MDB scandal.
The former Pekan MP was accused of misappropriating nearly RM2.3 billion from the nation’s sovereign wealth fund.
He received four 15-year sentences for abuse of power, as well as five years each for 21 money laundering charges.
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak
The jail terms for the 1MDB conviction run concurrently, but will only start after Najib has served his remaining sentence in the SRC case.
Umno leaders have often cast aspersions on the prosecution of Najib, suggesting that the former premier had been denied a fair hearing.
Party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has repeatedly stressed that Umno remains committed to securing Najib’s freedom.
The jail terms for the 1MDB conviction run concurrently, but will only start after Najib has served his remaining sentence in the SRC case.
Umno leaders have often cast aspersions on the prosecution of Najib, suggesting that the former premier had been denied a fair hearing.
Party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has repeatedly stressed that Umno remains committed to securing Najib’s freedom.
Najib will get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th pardon if necessary.
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