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KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak may no longer be in the corridors of power, but he continues to appeal to the masses.
This was the assessment made by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who continues to wax lyrical about his party predecessor, the Pekan MP who is profoundly known as “Bossku” among his supporters.
Speaking at a programme hosted by Makkal Sakti yesterday, Zahid drew comparisons between Najib and a glass of water, noting how he still commands the public support despite not holding significant positions.
“I would like to share what I personally feel about Bossku. He is like a glass of water,” he said at the Santai Bersama Bossku programme in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, a small portion of his speech of which was uploaded on his Facebook today.
“The glass can be likened to Najib, while water is the position and power he used to hold. Although there is no more water, the people will never throw away the glass even if it is empty.”
Najib was prime minister from April 2009 to May 2018 – during which he also assumed the position of finance minister – before he was ousted from federal power during the 2018 general election, when his coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He subsequently relinquished his positions as Umno president and BN chairman, but continues to serve as a parliamentarian and party member.
Najib was later appointed chairman of the BN advisory board in July 2019.
Zahid is known to be one of Najib’s strongest supporters and allies in Umno, and has consistently heaped praise on the latter and credited him for Umno’s revival.
Among the many instances include Zahid’s remark during the Johor election campaigning period in March, where he said Najib’s Bossku aura would help lead Umno to victory and that the party would continue to put him as its main figure.
Immediately following the state polls, Zahid had also paid tribute to the former prime minister and said the victory in the southern state is a gift for the latter.
Meanwhile, in a separate Facebook post, Najib, who was also in attendance at the Makkal Sakti programme yesterday, said with stability and the right leadership mould, he is confident BN and its allies will continue to help develop Malaysia.
He is convinced the coalition will be able to overcome any challenges, including the current inflation, adding that BN has the huge potential for further growth.
“We have a good track record. In fact, during PH and Perikatan Nasional’s time in power, they too continued with our people-centric policies and officiated BN’s projects.”
Najib was previously sentenced by the high court here to 12 years in prison for corruption involving SRC International Sdn Bhd, a verdict which was later upheld by the appellate court last December.
He is currently appealing the case at the Federal Court, with the trial fixed for August. – The Vibes, June 20, 2022