UMNO Youth leader Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh appealed passionately to the King for the release of Najib, emphasising the necessity for justice in the case of the incarcerated former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
However, social media users swiftly criticised the politician, questioning his ability to repay Bossku’s debts in exchange for a royal pardon.
More than 2,000 UMNO members gathered outside the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Oct 21) to call for Najib to be granted a royal pardon.
“How could others get (to submit their appeals), but Najib was not allowed to do so?” Akmal asked about Najib’s appeal during a pro-Palestine rally.
The protesters were all reportedly clad in white T-shirts bearing the slogan “Pulangkan Najib” (Return Najib) and chanted the slogan in support of the former UMNO president.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence after conviction in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case. UMNO has made concerted efforts to free Najib, including applying for a royal pardon for the former Pekan MP.
Netizen @MRLofficials said:
Suruh budak melaka ni bayar hutang negara yg najib buat.jangan suruh rakyat. Boleh?
Baru minta pengampunan diraja.
Dah terang² orang tu soglap SRC,duit 1MDB masuk acc sendiri,cukai tak bayar.lagi nak jilat.— bangjet (@MRLofficials) October 21, 2023
(Tell this boy from Melaka to pay the national debt created by Najib. Don’t ask the people to pay. Can you? Then only you can ask for a royal pardon. It’s clear that the person cheated on SRC’s money, 1MDB money went into his own account, and on top of that he (Najib) didn’t pay tax.)
Meanwhile, netizen @osman_EX5Hitam added:
Biarlah bang..dah depa suka sangat dengan Najib..tak bayar cukai pun, takpe.
Janji Najib lepas dan konon boleh selamatkan negara.
Biarlah dia fikir mcm tu..
— Osman Pencinta Nescafé (@osman_EX5Hitam) October 21, 2023
(Let it go, bro. They like Najib so much. He didn’t even pay taxes. They believe that if Najib is freed, he can save the country. Let them think like that.)
Many are disappointed with the Akmal’s speech. They argued that they thought he was a good rising political figure after he made a few videos on warehouses allegedly hoarding rice.
“When he made the content t about recent rice mill raids, I find it enjoyable to watch. There seems to be some success as well. When I watch this video, I thought he was a smart and knowledgeable person but it’s otherwise.) – Oct 22, 2023
Main photo credit: Bernama
