Kuala Lumpur: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said the response to her husband’s situation has shown her who has stood by the family “through difficult and good times”, as well-wishers at home and abroad offer to help former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a statement last night, Rosmah said she was touched, and that the support had not come only from friends and acquaintances in Malaysia.
She said contacts in Brunei, Italy, Singapore and Canada, among other countries, had reached out to express their happiness over the latest developments concerning Najib and to say they wished to contribute.
“They only want to see Datuk return to be with his family. That is all,” she said.
“Today, I realise who the friends are who have always been with us through difficult and good times.”Her statement did not say how much had been offered or how any overseas contributions would be channelled.
Fine at the centre of the fundraisingHer statement follows the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s decision on Friday to grant Najib a conditional pardon. Under it, he may serve the rest of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine and other conditions.
The Attorney General’s Chambers has also clarified that the pardon covers only the prison sentence in the SRC International case.
Umno has since set up a solidarity fund to help Najib meet the payment. Party secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said it raised RM165,645 in its first hour and more than RM634,000 within three hours, with many donations of RM10 or RM50. The fund passed RM1 million by Saturday morning, less than a day after its launch, and Asyraf urged supporters to keep giving, even in small amounts.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the fund was open to party leaders, members, supporters and anyone else wishing to contribute voluntarily. He promised it would be run transparently and in compliance with the law.
Najib’s lawyers from Messrs Shafee & Co said in a separate statement that their client was deeply touched but did not want Umno, its members, supporters or the public to feel burdened or obliged on his account.
