Calls for former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to receive a full pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are expected to top the agenda at Umno’s upcoming general assembly.
Party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that out of the 662 motions received thus far from delegates nationwide, 104 of them are seeking debates regarding ensuring “justice” for the former Umno president.
“One of the hottest and most submitted motions by divisions (are those) demanding justice and a full pardon for (Najib),” Asyraf told a press conference at the Umno headquarters in Menara Dato Onn today.
The motions, he disclosed, are more about appealing for mercy and pardon on Najib’s behalf.
“(Delegates who submitted the motions) are well aware that the power to grant pardons does not lie with the government, but is an absolute prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“The language used in most of the motions (hints at) appeals for compassion from the king,” he said.
He noted that besides debates on Najib’s situation, 56 divisions had submitted motions urging the government to expand and comprehensively implement TVET programmes for youths.
On Dec 26 last year, the High Court convicted Najib of 21 money laundering charges and four counts of power abuse in his trial related to the global financial scandal, 1MDB.
Following the conviction, judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah sentenced Najib to 15 years in jail and an RM11.38 billion fine for his power abuse charges, as well as five years’ jail for each of his money laundering charges.
If he cannot pay the fine, he will have to serve 10 additional years in jail in default.
However, the imprisonment terms were ordered to run concurrently, making it a total of 15 more years in prison for Najib, which he is to start serving after he exhausts his ongoing jail term for his SRC International case.
On Dec 22, the High Court had also dismissed Najib’s bid for house arrest, with judge Alice Loke ruling that the royal decree on the matter was invalid under the law.
No motions to leave govt for now
Asyraf also affirmed today that there have been no motions submitted thus far concerning demands for Umno to leave the coalition government.
However, he pointed out that the issue could be raised by speakers in relation to other matters, stressing that Umno will not attempt to silence such voices if the topic is brought up.
“As for the motions officially submitted to Umno’s headquarters, not a single one calls for Umno to withdraw from the unity government, of which Umno is a key party.
“But, as usual, we cannot prevent delegates from raising issues… issues may be raised or debated, but at the Umno headquarters secretariat level, we do not block anything,” he said.
Emphasising that no submitted motion is ever rejected, he said that since the Umno annual general assembly is typically regarded as a platform for reflection and introspection, there is no point in preventing grassroots’ voices from being heard “officially, directly, and personally”.
‘Too early to talk elections’
When asked if any motions encouraging cooperation with other parties for future state and general elections were submitted, Asyraf answered in the negative.
“So far, none. I think it’s still too early. Previously, motions like ‘no DAP, no Anwar, no Bersatu’ usually only came closer to election time.
“This year, we may have two Umno general assemblies because the 2025 (assembly) was supposed to be held in November (last year), but was postponed due to the Sabah state election… so in 2026, there will certainly be another one,” he added.
Earlier this week, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had maintained that the party will remain part of the coalition government until the end of the parliamentary term and the 16th general election.
Zahid had also ruled out any return to past political arrangements, referring to the short-lived Muafakat Nasional pact between Umno and PAS.
The deputy prime minister’s stance on the matter came despite Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh previously urging Umno to leave the government and assume the role of the opposition to rebuild its strength.
During a special Umno Youth convention on Jan 3, Akmal had also stressed that Malay unity must begin with Umno and PAS as the two largest Malay-based parties.
Govt allies not invited
On a separate matter, Asyraf said that representatives of Umno’s Madani government allies have not been invited to attend the party’s assembly, scheduled to take place between Jan 14 and 17 at the World Trade Centre.
“We did not invite outsiders because we want to focus internally, so that delegates can speak openly. Umno has strong traditions of courtesy and Malay etiquette, (so) if outsiders are invited, (delegates) may hold back.
“Umno, by tradition, is polite and refined. So, if Umno (members) wants to speak, let it be within the family, where people can speak properly and respectfully,” he added.
He noted, however, that figures from BN component parties, including MIC and MCA, as well as Friends of BN, are expected to attend the event, with invitations having already been extended. - Mkini
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