Najib’s popularity seen as X factor in GE15

 

Analyst James Chin says no other political leader comes close to Najib Razak in terms of reach. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Najib Razak may yet have a hand in influencing voters in the coming general election despite being behind bars, according to two analysts.

Speaking to FMT, James Chin of the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute, and Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir referred to Najib’s popularity on social media.

Chin noted that “Bossku is still active” on Facebook and that he had already started campaigning. “Bossku” is the name Najib’s supporters use when referring to him.

Chin crowned him as Malaysia’s social media king, saying no other political leader came close to him in terms of reach.

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James Chin.

He said Najib’s popularity, especially with young Malays, would likely influence the outcome of GE15.

He praised the former prime minister for his “good responses” to major issues.

“He also knows how to put people down but he doesn’t always criticise the opposition blindly,” he added.

Najib has 4.1 million followers on Twitter, vastly ahead of other Malay leaders. Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yasin have about a million followers each, and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has about half a million followers.

On Facebook, Najib leads with 4.6 million followers.

Najib is serving a 12-year prison sentence after the Federal Court upheld his 2020 conviction for his role in one of the world’s largest financial scandals.

Jeniri Amir.

Jeniri said Najib could influence GE15 if the BN election machinery banked on issues pertaining to him, including his imprisonment.

He spoke of “people-centric policies” that Najib introduced when he was the prime minister and said BN could refer to these in its campaigning.

He attributed Najib’s popularity on social media to his “people’s touch”.

“People really follow him on social media and this has helped to validate his image,” he said.

Azmil Tayeb.

He also said BN might benefit if it roped in Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa, for its campaign.

Nooryana and her brother, Nazifuddin, have been vocal against the imprisonment of their father.

However, Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia disagreed that Najib would be a factor in the impending polls.

“Umno might campaign on his old programmes, but Najib as a personality would be marginal,” he said. - FMT