Najib can woo youth support for Umno if freed, says Akmal

August 25, 2024

Najib can woo youth support for Umno if freed, says Akmal

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh believes that the release of former prime minister Najib Razak from prison can boost youth support for the party.

Akmal claimed that youths in general will be able to accept Najib’s release, as he provided many opportunities to the youths during his tenure as prime minister and Umno president.

“So, naturally, when Najib is freed, it will have an impact, to some extent, on the youths’ support for our party,” he told a press conference after the conclusion of the 2024 Umno general assembly here today.

“In fact, the youths today are smart and discerning. They know which leaders truly serve and which ones just talk. And Dato’ Seri Najib is the kind of leader who genuinely serves.”

Akmal was asked whether Malaysian youths would be able to accept a full royal pardon for Najib.

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He also said Umno Youth might seek an audience with the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, over an alleged addendum order for Najib to serve his remaining jail sentence under house arrest.

However, they will wait until Najib’s appeal over the matter has concluded in court.

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said 72 divisions had submitted motions demanding justice and a full royal pardon for Najib.

Najib, 70, who has three other criminal cases that are ongoing, began his initial 12-year prison term on Aug 23, 2022 following the Federal Court’s dismissal of his final appeal.

On Feb 2, the Federal Territories Pardons Board shortened his prison sentence to six years and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.

He is serving his sentence at Kajang prison and is set to be released on Aug 23, 2028.