'Stop attacking Zahid, there's still time to pardon Najib'

Umno has to “move on” from the issue concerning the Pardons Board’s decision on Najib Abdul Razak as there is still time to secure the former premier’s release, a party leader said.

In view of that, Batu Umno division chief Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim said party members should stop attacking president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for allegedly failing to help free Najib.

“Whatever the Pardons Board’s decision is on Bossku (Najib), Umno has to move on (from it) and (it’s) business as usual.

“Yes, Bossku’s case is important but Umno’s agenda and roadmap to face the 16th general election are also equally important,” Gulam Muszaffar said in a statement today.

He was commenting on the board recently slashing Najib’s jail time from 12 years to six, and reducing the fine amount from RM210 million to RM50 million.

Batu Umno division chief Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim

Najib was locked up in Kajang prison after being convicted in the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

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READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Is the Pardons Board decision on Najib the Agong's call?

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Following the decision, several Umno leaders boycotted a closed-door meeting held by Zahid to explain the matter.

Stay calm

Gulam Muszaffar said Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, which pertains to the granting of pardons, reprieves, and respites, can be used to seek pardon from the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

“What matters is Umno members who love Bossku, should remain calm.

“To Zahid’s haters, I say it’s best to ignore them. We pray to Allah to cure them from their mental illnesses,” he quipped.

With the halved prison sentence, Najib is set to be freed from prison on Aug 23, 2028.

However, the former Pekan MP still has several other ongoing cases on the 1MDB scandal.

Gulam Muszaffar urged Umno members to remember the many challenges that await them in the coming months, including the Bumiputera Economic Pre-Congress Colloquium, set to be held end of this month.

The congress is crucial in changing the socio-economic standing of the Malays, he said.

“I urge Umno members not to fall for words uttered by ‘mental patients’ who want to see split and disharmony within the party,” he said, referring to Zahid’s critics. - Mkini