Puad: 'Hero' Akmal attended Najib's court case, not solidarity rally

 

Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi has claimed that the party’s youth chief, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, was not present at Monday’s solidarity gathering for Najib Abdul Razak at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya.

Instead, he asserted that Akmal was there to observe court proceedings related to a royal addendum order regarding Najib’s potential house arrest.

“The question of Akmal being a hero does not arise,” he stated in a Facebook post.

“The party has never barred its members or leaders from attending Najib's court hearings. It’s routine. Both the president and the secretary-general have appeared in court numerous times to support Najib.

“Akmal wasn’t attending a rally; he had personally prohibited Umno Youth from participating as initially planned. Umno wasn’t embarrassed - instead, it adopted a tactical approach,” he added.

Puad (above) was responding to a report by The Star that declared PAS as the “winner” and Umno as the “loser” in connection to the gathering.

Real winner

Last Friday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced that the party would not proceed with the solidarity rally, citing respect for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree and a directive from the inspector-general of police.

However, Akmal stated that he would attend in a personal capacity to show support for Najib, who is serving a six-year prison sentence.

Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh was seen at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on Jan 6

Puad also suggested that some division chiefs within Umno might have been upset over the cancellation of the gathering, as they had already spent money on buses and T-shirts.

“No Umno buses arrived at the location, demonstrating the party’s unity,” he said.

“In truth, Umno is the real winner. Its members stood firmly by the party’s directives and respected the king’s advice.

“The affidavits from (Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), (Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail), and (Najib’s son Mohd Nizar) are not mere hearsay. The court eventually confirmed the existence of the addendum,” he emphasised.

Puad also challenged the author of The Star article to ask PAS and Bersatu if they are prepared to rally again for a full pardon for Najib.

He reiterated that Umno would continue to defend its former president through constitutional means. - Mkini