'Najib admits guilt' - Rafizi reads between the lines

 

It is a race against time. The further the election, the closer the prospect of moving from his deluxe residence in Pavillion to prison.

So a rattled Najib Abdul Razak is demanding the general election be held soon to secure a monarchical passage to freedom, asserted Rafizi Ramli (above).

Speaking to Malaysiakini, the PKR leader also claimed the former premier’s eagerness can be construed as an admission of guilt.

“Najib is hoping an earlier election can re-install Umno in Putrajaya and the party will push for his royal pardon before his final appeal.

“The irony is while he can lie he did not steal any money to delude his supporters, his push for earlier polls is a tacit admission of guilt as it confirms his strategy to rely on a pardon if Umno is back,” he added.

Last December, the Court of Appeal upheld Najib’s conviction and 12-year prison sentence in the SRC International case but was granted a stay of execution pending his final appeal at the Federal Court.

Najib and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also on trial for corruption charges, made the call for early polls at the recent BN convention.

In his speech, the former premier said the election must not be stalled due to inflation or self-interest.

However, Rafizi claimed it is the pair and the infamous Umno “court cluster” who are pursuing a self-centred stratagem which can backfire.

“It is obvious Najib and Zahid are in panic mode. They are willing to cause rifts and instability in Umno just to avoid being made accountable for their deeds while in government.

“It is an open secret that Umno’s cabinet cluster, led by the prime minister, is against an early general election,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Najib Abdul Razak

Rafizi said Najib and Zahid are also willing to jeopardise Umno's electoral chances since the party had been punished in the past when it called for an election amid soaring prices of goods.

“Najib and Zahid think the public is gullible and will not see that they are pushing this to save themselves.

"They forget the previous state election success in Malacca and Johor was due to the lackadaisical efforts by Pakatan Harapan and not exactly due to increasing inherent support for Umno,” he added.

Rafizi claimed if a general election is called this year and Harapan can fix its narrative and return to fighting for sustainable reforms, the coalition only needed a swing of five percent fence-sitters and an increased turnout of about 10 percent among its core supporters to win.

“From that perspective, I am excited if Umno continues to go on this path as it increases our electoral chances, provided that Harapan builds a cohesive and relatable narrative quickly.

“The macroeconomic situation and the continuing toxic perception of Umno (as admitted by its deputy president himself) favours Harapan.

“That is why I have been vocal against a 'big tent' strategy as it distracts from the most important task - developing a narrative that builds back trust and hope for better governance,” he added.

Rafizi said Umno lost the last general election because it was out of touch with public sentiment on the ground.

“Pushing for an early election shows it is still out of touch so it is incumbent for Harapan to take this opportunity to reconnect with voters.

“Time may be short, but it is still doable,” he added. - Mkini