DESPITE the slew of charges against him, Najib Razak remains popular in Langkawi, where Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is MP.
People clamoured to meet the former prime minister during his recent visit to Langkawi and for the island’s youth, the 42 charges levelled against Najib for allegedly committing criminal breach of trust, misuse of office and receiving money from illegal activities mean nothing, except the ones relating to corruption.
A youth, who wanted to be known as Musnab, 26, said the people do not take the corruption cases seriously and are delighted that Najib joins and supports their activities.
“Last Saturday, Najib met the ‘Ysuku’ and ‘RS’ motorcycle gangs. Even though I did not get to join in the fun, seeing him support our activities makes us happy.
“Whatever his cases are, let him settle them,” the youth, who is in a motorcycle gang himself, told The Malaysian Insight.
Najib’s five days there is his third holiday on the legendary island after Barisan Nasional lost the 14th general election last year.
However, the holiday themed “Selfie bersama DSN” (“Selfie with Datuk Seri Najib”) was heavily criticised by Pakatan Harapan, which lodged five police reports on whether the programme was permitted and if there are elements of sedition and racism.
The Langkawi Municipal Council also cordoned off Dataran Cenang to prevent him from giving talks there.
Another motorcycle gang member, Faizal Firdaus, said the police set up roadblocks when they discovered that the gang members wanted to meet Najib.
“We are disappointed with the authorities. We came to see ‘bossku’ (my boss) to take a picture, that’s all.
“The Bersatu youth here know only how to talk, but they don’t do any activity for the youth,” he said.
During his visit, Najib did not hold any ceramah but visited the morning and night markets, went jet-skiing, bought chocolates and held dialogues with PAS members.
In Langkawi, Najib is not the only reason for the people’s unhappiness against the PH government.
Support for PH has also declined among those involved in water sports due to the authorities’ strict enforcement of licences and permits for such activities.
A water sports vendor, who wanted to be only known as Rafi, said since last December, the authorities have made it mandatory for all water sports operators to apply for licences which cost thousands of ringgit.
“In the past, the government didn’t disturb us. Now, it’s all messed up. Now we have to pay RM500 a month for a canopy and jetski fees of RM600 a year.
“They are also charging for Marine Department permits which come close to RM2,000. Before obtaining permits, we have to pay RM2,000 in insurance.”
Rafi said he regretted that the authorities are acting against legal water sports operators instead of illegal operators.
“There currently are 24 companies operating. But the council doesn’t take action against the illegal ones because they don’t have counters.
“This is not fair. They force us to get licences, but they don’t act against those who don’t have licences because they don’t have sales counters.”
Meanwhile, a civil servant known as Faizul said he felt support for PH in Langkawi had deteriorated because the people assigned by Dr Mahathir are not doing their jobs.
PH leaders are also allegedly using their power to threaten civil servants who support the opposition.
‘When we ask for help, they say there is no budget. The assemblyman here is also not doing his job.
“But when we write ‘malu apa bossku’ (nothing to be ashamed of, my boss) on Facebook, we are reprimanded. It’s like a sin. That’s why they are getting fed up with PH.”
Housewife Shuhada Rosli, 37, is disappointed with PH due to the government’s failure to address the high cost of living.
“The people from Pulau Tuba used to get transport subsidies to bring gas, sugar and rice to the island, but now they are charged the same price as in Kuah town.
“The price of gas in Kuah is RM28.50 but in Tuba it is now RM35. Isn’t this sad?”
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/
Najib’s ‘bossku’ fame doesn’t guarantee votes, Umno sec-gen concedes
KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s newfound fame with the “Malu apa bossku?” (Why the shame, boss?) trend does not automatically translate into popularity at the ballots, Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa has said.
But is he bothered by Najib’s personal activities as the former prime minister seeks to rebrand himself? In a recent interview with Malay Mail, the Ketereh MP said it does not matter as Najib is not only no longer in government, but also not an Umno top leader.
“Whether his is popular or not, to me sometimes when it comes to those online, when you are popular among them, it doesn’t mean you are popular in election,” Annuar said.
“Those are two different things, but to me, it is good to see a person without posts, after all the harassment that he received, he is now liked by certain segments of the people.
“Let’s put it this way. Now he, Datuk Seri Najib is as a person. He is not Datuk Seri Najib the Umno president. He is not Datuk Seri Najib who is part of party officials.
“He should be given the freedom. Which is his right,” Annuar added.
He insisted that Umno has nothing to do with Najib’s programmes, but conceded that the scandal-plagued politicians’ antics on social media has indirectly helped the party.
“We welcome the new development. This new rebranded ‘bossku’,” he said.
Since last month, Najib has gone on a charm offensive to transform himself into a people’s champion, and fervent critic and troll against the Pakatan Harapan administration.
In particular, he has used the catchphrase “bossku” and “Malu apa bossku?” in an attempt to endear himself to blue-collar youths, tapping on the “rempit” culture.
Over the weekend, the phrase “Malu apa bossku” had even made its way into the popular song contest Anugerah Juara Lagu 33, prompting Najib to tout his own popularity.
Among others, a rap song and a clothing line bearing the phrase have been released by third parties hoping to cash in on Najib’s viral fame.
This comes as Najib pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering, in what is set to be the first of many trials over suspected multibillion-dollar fraud at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The trial starts nine months after Malaysians voted Najib out of office in a general election dominated by public disgust over allegations some RM18 billion was stolen from 1MDB, and about a quarter of it went into his personal bank accounts.
Meanwhile, Annuar said he felt that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration’s reaction against Najib may be overkill, as if the election victors are afraid of the Pekan MP’s popularity.
Annuar added that as a former prime minister and current lawmaker, Najib has the necessary knowledge on nation development, which he reserves the right to share and can rebut PH’s policies or statements.
“Well if you do things [like that], in younger people’s term, it’s what you call an overkill, or overdo,” said Annuar, referring to the five police reports lodged against Najib recently in Langkawi.
“So you should just allow Datuk Seri Najib to go to Langkawi. He wants to spend his private holiday, and of course he is still a Member of Parliament.
“You must remember, he is an MP and people like him. So it’s good for him. Why the need to do police reports?” he questioned.
Last week, national newswire Bernama reported that police reports were lodged to ensure former Najib’s programme scheduled in Langkawi, is not racist or seditious.
The agency quoted Langkawi police chief, Supt Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim saying that five reports were lodged by Langkawi Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) members at the Kuah police station.
The reports, which were sighted by Bernama, reportedly asked the police to conduct a probe as to whether the programme had a permit, and also expressed concerns that there could be elements of sedition or racism.
– Malay Mail
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