NAJIB NOW MORE POPULAR THAN MAHATHIR & HADI COMBINED? YET DR M WAS MAN OF THE HOUR DURING GE14 & HADI THE KINGMAKER IN CAMERONS – NOW DUO FACE INTENSE CRITICISM, WHILE ‘ARTIFICIAL’ NAJIB SASHAYS ON

Though saddled with a slew of court charges, former premier Najib Abdul Razak has refused to fade into oblivion and his antics on social media has earned him a reputable following while his events, as well as meet-the-people sessions, draw impressive crowds.

However, an aide to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim believes that the attraction is superficial and employed an automotive analogy to explain the reason for Najib continuing to draw attention.

“Najib is like an antique car,” R Suresh Kumar told Malaysiakini.

“When an antique car passes us on the road, we look at it. But we do not purchase it because we know it would not last and is prone to breakdowns,” he added.

Similarly, Suresh believes the former premier’s limelight would be just as short-lived.

“People make a beeline to meet him and snap photos with him. But nobody would support him to become prime minister again apart from his macai (minions),” he said.

Suresh (below) was commenting on the findings of advertising firm Nobleman Creations, which said that data revealed Najib was far ahead of the pack on social media.

The firm had also monitored the Facebook pages of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Meanwhile, Suresh also pointed out that the popularity of politicians was seasonal.

“Before the last general election, everyone read Mahathir’s statements. During last month’s Cameron Highlands by-election, Hadi took centre stage on social media. But now, both of them are facing intense criticism.

“Social media sensations keep changing. At present, everyone is interested in Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer’s revelation, the RM90 million for PAS and (PAS leader) Nik Abduh (Nik Aziz’s) audio recording,” he pointed out.

Suresh predicted that Najib’s popularity would diminish when his cases are heard in court.

“In my opinion, Najib is seeking sympathy from netizens before facing allegations of corruption and abuse of power,” he added.

– M’kini