The group is seeking the MACC chief to meet the King and present evidence that there was a conflict of interest regarding Judge Mohd Nazlan
KUALA LUMPUR – Thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Najib Razak gathered outside the King’s Palace here today (Aug 24) to submit a memorandum to Palace officials re Najib’s conviction and Justice Mohd Nazlan’s conflict of interest pertaining to the SRC case.
The group, who call themselves “Pertubuhan Jalinan Perpaduan Negara Malaysia” is seeking royal intervention into the former prime minister’s conviction.
“We have submitted a ‘referendum’ to the Palace with two things that we are demanding.
“We want Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki to meet the King and present the evidence that there was a conflict of interest in regards to Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.
“Secondly, we want a Royal Pardon to be given to (Datuk Seri) Najib,” said the group’s leader Syed Muhammad Imran Syed Abdul Aziz to reporters when met outside the Palace.
Syed Muhammad Imran and a few other members of the group were allowed to enter the Palace compound to submit the memorandum.
Other supporters gathered outside the Palace gates, with a large police presence stood by and kept a close watch.
The group dispersed after the press conference was over.
Najib’s Case A Political Persecution
An Umno leader has claimed that the Federal Court’s decision to uphold Najib’s conviction and sentence in the SRC International case is the result of political persecution, news portal FMT reported.
Umno Supreme Council member Arman Azha Abu Hanifah alleged that the former prime minister was not given a fair trial to defend himself, noting that it was a high-profile case.
“We respect the decision but we have stated from the start that justice has to be served. The court should have considered all angles before making a decision on such a high-profile case.
“What has happened is political persecution,” he said, adding that Umno leaders now needed to double their efforts to prepare for the next general election (GE15).
However, Beruas Umno chief Azhar Ahmad said the court’s decision was proof that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob did not interfere in its affairs.
“It means that our prime minister upholds the rule of law. So, the opposition’s accusations that Umno (was trying to) interfere in the court’s decision was false and proven to be slanderous,” he said.
Azhar said the court’s decision would not affect Barisan Nasional’s preparations for GE15, adding that Umno’s struggles were the priority.
Selayang Umno chief Abdul Shukur Idrus sympathised with Najib and his family but said the Pekan MP’s conviction would rally other party members to fight for the party’s cause.
Towards The Next General Election
“We must continue our agenda for the next general election,” he said. “It (Najib’s conviction) gives us the strength to fight for victory at GE15 so that our leaders will not be persecuted.”
Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Mahdzir Khalid said Najib’s service and contribution to Malaysia and his party were undeniable.
“His service and devotion to Umno and the country cannot be denied,” he said on Facebook, adding that “justice hurried is justice buried”.
Najib has been ordered to serve his 12-year jail sentence following the Federal Court’s decision to uphold his SRC International Sdn Bhd conviction on Tuesday (23 Aug).
The conviction and sentence were imposed on Najib in the High Court on 28 July 2020 by Nazlan.
During Najib’s recent trial in the Federal Court, his bid to adduce further evidence was rejected by the five-member bench led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
It ruled that Nazlan’s previous employment with Maybank does not show a conflict of interest or bias in his judgement against Najib. – New Malaysia Herald
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