Najib's supporters in high spirits despite low turnout

 

Although small in numbers, supporters of former premier Najib Abdul Razak remained in high spirits as they gathered outside the Palace of Justice awaiting a verdict on his 25 1MDB-linked charges today.

Arriving as early as 7.30am, some 40 Umno members and supporters from divisions as far as Kelantan and Pahang rallied in a call to “Bebas Bossku!” (Free Bossku!).

In preparation for what is expected to be a long wait for the verdict by judge Colin Lawrence Sequerah, several women came prepared with homemade nasi lemak which they served to supporters with a variety of side dishes.

From Pekan Umno, the division previously led by Najib and where he also served as MP, 71-year-old Norma Jalal said she has been in Kuala Lumpur since Monday to also attend the recent decision on Najib’s house arrest bid, which has been rejected.

“Why is this even needed? We are not going to jump the ‘fence’,” she said while leaning on a metal barricade watched over by security officers screening vehicles and people walking up to the court entrance.

“I came on my own but there might be others who came together by bus,” said the Pekan Umno Women permanent chairperson who has been a party member for five decades.

Police sirens signalled Najib’s arrival in a Black Maria at around 8.25am, while a personal car believed to belong to his family members passed through the barrier about 20 minutes later.

‘All for Bossku’

Bagan Serai Umno Women committee member Faridatul Akma Osman, 61, was among supporters who have been in Kuala Lumpur for almost a week.

“I’m just staying with a friend. We’re all here for Bossku, and no matter what happens, the most important thing is our sincere intentions,” she told Malaysiakini.

For retired civil servant Halijah Ibrahim, 69, her support for Najib and a BN-led administration partly stemmed from gratitude over benefits received, including a full scholarship to further her studies in the US.

Commenting on the 1MDB-linked trial proceedings which started in 2019, Halijah cited alleged “injustices” and “unfair treatment” towards Najib - a narrative also amplified by supporters in their online “live” commentary from outside the court today.

“That is why I am saddened by this situation,” she said, adding many among the younger generations have fallen for the “slander” against Najib.

Halijah also noted the smaller number of supporters today, in comparison to Monday’s crowd at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, was partly due to disappointment with the past verdict.

Abuse of power, money laundering

Najib was accused of four counts of power abuse and 21 money laundering charges in 2018. The trial began the following year.

The former premier had allegedly used his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds between Feb 24, 2011 and Dec 19, 2014, at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch on Jalan Raja Chulan in Bukit Ceylon.

For the 21 money laundering charges, he is accused of committing the offence at the same bank between March 22, 2013 and Aug 30, 2013.

His power abuse charge was framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, carrying 20 years imprisonment and a fine of either five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Najib’s money laundering charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, which provides a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment of up to five years or both.

He was ordered to defend himself against the charges on Oct 30, 2024, after Collin found the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him. - Mkini