KUALA LUMPUR: When a video montage of former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak was shown at the Umno Youth annual general meeting, one of his children was overcome by emotions.
Datuk Mohd Nazifuddn Najib said he was moved by the clip, calling it a reminder of his father’s sacrifices for the people.
“It represents decades of his hard work and contributions to the country, which should count for something,” Nazifuddin said.
At the start of the meeting yesterday, it was announced that Najib was the recipient of the Tokoh Pemuda Award 2023.
A short video clip of Najib’s early years and achievements was shown before the award was presented to Nazifuddin and his elder brother Datuk Nizar.
Chants of “Hidup Pemuda” and “Malu Apa Bossku” rang out among the 1,160 delegates as the award was handed over by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and his deputy Mohd Khairy Md Shah to a visibly moved Nizar and Nazifuddin.
Nizar is the Pekan Umno division vice-chief and Peramu Jaya assemblyman in Pahang while his brother is an Umno Youth exco member.
Nazifuddin said the video was also a reminder of his father’s links to the youth movement.
“I am proud that I am an Umno Youth exco member and able to continue his work and legacy,” he added.
Najib was the Umno Youth chief between 1987 and 1993 before rising through the ranks to become the party president, serving from 2009 until 2018.
In July 2020, Najib was convicted of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of position charges involving funds of SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of the controversial 1Malaysia Development Bhd, totalling RM42mil.
He is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence. He was also fined RM210mil for the conviction.
