Who are you to oppose Najib’s pardon, Puad asks Muda

 

Puad Zarkashi of Umno said Muda, led by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, should not be hypocrites.

PETALING JAYA: An Umno Supreme Council member has questioned Muda’s right to oppose former prime minister Najib Razak’s application for a pardon, after the party announced its stand today.

Puad Zarkashi questioned whether Muda “is that clean and pure” when its president, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, remains in office despite facing corruption charges.

By contrast, Puad said Najib had resigned as Umno president when Barisan Nasional lost power in 2018 and did not contest in the 2022 general election while Syed Saddiq had contested in Muar.

He contended that “Syed will remain (Muda’s) president and contest in the 16th general election even if he was found guilty” and added: “Don’t be a hypocrite at this young age.”

Puad said Umno would not be offended by Muda’s opposition to the pardon application as the party is not in the federal government and had been “begging to join” Pakatan Harapan.

Muda had won seats with PKR’s help, and was now turning to PH for a lifeline, Puad said, referring to Muda’s application to become a member of PH.

Muda’s central executive committee said today that a pardon for Najib just months after he had started to serve his sentence would send the message that a person with influence and connection need not be worried about the law.

Najib’s pardon application has caused sharp exchanges between Umno and PH leaders such as Amanah communications director Khalid Samad, PKR MP Hassan Karim and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang. - FMT