Zahid, Najib must go to improve Umno’s image, says ex-CJ

 

Allegations have been made of a deal to drop charges against various MPs, including Najib Razak and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in exchange for their support in the Dewan Rakyat. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Najib Razak must step down as Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) adviser, respectively, if the party intends to shed the taint of corruption that has been linked to these two leaders, a former chief justice said.

Abdul Hamid Mohamad said if Umno and the coalition fail to address this matter, it could see the return of a Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in Johor.

He said words like “corruption”, “abuse of power” and “integrity” will influence young voters.

It was reported that some 6% of the 2.5 million voters in Johor will comprise 18 to 20-year olds, following the implementation of Undi18.

Abdul Hamid Mohamad.

The opposition, Hamid said, will weaponise such words against Umno, and easily sway youths.

“Umno has no choice. It must do away with the image of being a corrupted party.

“It must ‘retire’ leaders who are involved or implicated in corruption. Najib and Zahid must step down,” he said in a statement.

Hamid added that when Mohamad Hasan became the party’s acting president in December 2018, BN won three by-elections in a row, namely the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat, and the Semenyih (Selangor) and Rantau (Negeri Sembilan) state seats.

Mohamad took over the reins after Zahid went on garden leave, in an apparent attempt to stem the tide of Umno elected representatives leaving the party.

Hamid said, at the time, he felt relieved and hoped it was a sign of Umno’s recovery.

“However, six months later, Zahid was back in charge, and Najib was brought in as BN’s adviser in 2019.

“I saw this as a sign that Umno will not change. Whatever has happened since then proves this.”

Hamid said it appears as if Najib and Zahid were using Umno to free themselves of court charges, while the party’s Supreme Council members were going along with such plans.

Najib was convicted on seven counts of corruption in July 2020 and sentenced to 12 years’ jail as well as fined RM210 million. His first attempt to overturn the conviction at the Court of Appeal was dismissed, and he is now filing an appeal with the Federal Court.

Zahid has been ordered to enter his defence on all 47 of his corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering charges and is awaiting trial. - FMT