Umno leaders express sadness as Najib begins 12-year jail sentence

PETALING JAYA: Several Umno leaders took to social media to express their sadness after the Federal Court upheld Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conviction in the SRC International case.

Its vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said personally, he sympathises with the former prime minister and his family.

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“As a friend in Umno, whatever happens, his service, work and dedication to the party cannot be denied. Justice hurried is justice buried, is a phrase apt to describe the situation,” he said.

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said that Najib had constantly reminded him to always be with the people and put them first.

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“He is the son of a prime minister and yet he appointed me, a son of a rubber tapper, to be a deputy minister.

“I will never forget that,” he said.

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Umno supreme council member Isham Jalil urged Malaysians to pray for Najib, saying there will be no obstacles between the prayers of the persecuted and Allah.

“May Allah give strength to Najib in overcoming these trials and tribulations,” said Isham in a Facebook post on Aug 23 (Tuesday).

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Another Umno supreme council member, Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, expressed sadness, saying that Najib has contributed much despite everything said against him.

“I’m very sad about this situation. May Allah give strength to Najib himself and his family.

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“Whatever that’s said, he has contributed so much,” said Shamsul in a Facebook post.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Federal Court affirmed Najib’s conviction and sentence in the SRC International case.

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This means that the Pekan MP is set to begin serving his jail term immediately.

On July 28, 2020, Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali (now a Court of Appeal judge) convicted and sentenced Najib on seven charges involving criminal breach of trust (CBT), money laundering and abuse of position involving SRC funds totalling RM42mil.

He was sentenced to 12 years' jail and a fine of RM210mil.