Son hopes Umno continues fight for Najib's release

 

The family of Najib Abdul Razak has expressed hope that efforts to free the former prime minister from imprisonment will not falter.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly, his son Mohd Nizar (above) said some supporters of the former Umno president have expressed concern about his father’s well-being while serving his sentence in Kajang Prison.

“I believe Umno is still fighting for his release. However, as a family member, I don't want that momentum to slow down or be stopped, or for people to easily forget.

“So, we must always remember that he is still inside (prison), and I hope efforts to defend and free him will continue," he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre today.

Earlier this morning, the Umno Youth presented the ‘Tokoh Pemuda Umno Malaysia’ award to Najib for his sacrifices for the party, as well as his previous role as the Umno Youth chief.

Nizar (second from left) and his brother Nazifuddin (second from right) receiving the award on behalf of their father Najib Abdul Razak

Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh presented the trophy to Najib, who was represented by his son Nizar and his brother Nazifuddin on behalf of the family.

Both siblings were seen unable to hold back their emotions and shed tears.

A video recounting Najib’s history and service record was also shown to the Umno Youth delegates, after which the Tun Razak Hall resounded with cheers of Najib’s monicker ‘Bossku’.

‘Party leadership to decide’

This year's assembly is the first one without Najib attending since becoming the Pekan MP in 1976.

Najib is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence and has been fined RM210 million for seven charges related to the former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, Nizar said his family would leave it to the party leadership to decide on the appropriate steps to free Najib.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak

He said this includes any motions in this year’s general assembly or a memorandum to be handed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who is expected to attend the assembly tomorrow.

“I leave it to the party leadership’s wisdom to decide the appropriate steps to help secure my father’s freedom.

“Of course, as a family member, I sincerely hope that something will be done so that he receives adequate support and is released in the near future,” he said. - Mkini