PUTRAJAYA — True to his word, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh turned up at the Palace of Justice here to show solidarity with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, despite his party calling off its planned rally to support the former prime minister in his bid to enforce an addendum order on his house arrest.
Akmal, who previously said he would attend the solidarity rally in his personal capacity, showcased his presence today in a Facebook post with several photos of himself.
“A real man stands with the people. No sitting in hotels while using the people,” he said in his post.
Akmal, who is also Merlimau assemblyman, appears to be the only serving national-level Umno leader present at the solidarity rally for Najib who is appealing against the high court’s dismissal of his judicial review to enforce the purported addendum order.
However, formerly active Umno figures were also seen today, such as former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashar Md Hanipah who was spotted talking to Umno Veterans secretary Datuk Mustapha Yaakub.
By around 10.40am, the rally crowd had swelled to about 3,000 people, according to observers, while a policeman on duty said it was definitely more than 1,000 people.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday that Umno members who participate in the rally will bear the consequences of their own actions.
The Umno leadership called off its solidarity gathering for Najib after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong issued a decree last week to remind all quarters of His Majesty’s royal prerogative in granting prisoner pardons.
Opposition party PAS, however, has gone ahead with its show of solidarity for Najib, using the occasion to affirm the King’s powers on pardons decisions, and to seek “justice” for Najib.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, when met at the rally this morning, said there were “many friends from Umno present”, despite the party’s decision to call off its gathering.
“There are many friends from Umno this morning. Even though the Umno president said that those who attend have to bear the consequences themselves, this gathering should show the president, Zahid, that Najib still has the support of the grassroots,” Fadhli said on Astro Awani’s livestream on X.
Najib is currently serving a reduced jail sentenced for corruption in the SRC International Case.
His original sentence of 12 years was halved to six by the Federal Territory Pardons Board early last year.
However, the former prime minister and ex-Umno president alleges that there is an addendum order signed by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong that he serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Najib has filed a judicial review for the government to confirm and implement the order, but had his bid dismissed by the high court.
Today, the Court of Appeal is hearing his appeal against this dismissal. – January 6, 2025