The Court of Appeal will hear a pivotal bid by former PM Najib Razak concerning his house arrest addendum on January 6th, 2025. The disgraced former prime minister, currently serving a jail sentence for his involvement in the SRC scandal, wants to present fresh evidence in his appeal to serve his jail sentence under house arrest. This development has once again thrust Najib into the spotlight, with significant political implications for Malaysia.
Najib's loyalists recently held a gathering attended by his most ardent supporters. During the event, speakers took turns dissecting the nuances of Najib's legal battle, likely aiming to galvanize support ahead of a rally planned by the Islamic party Pas on January 6. Such efforts underscore the enduring influence of Najib’s personality cult within Malaysia’s political landscape and highlight the complex interplay of loyalty and power within the opposition bloc.
Pas, ever astute in navigating the Malay political psyche, appears to be capitalizing on the perception that Najib has been treated unfairly. Some thought that the government may have 'overkilled' Najib and denied him justice by not being honest about the addendum's existence. Worse for the unity government, most Malays may think that their lives were not any better than during Najib's era, as evidenced by their concern about the economic situation in a recent survey by Merdeka Center. This could help them develop a soft spot for the former PM.
Thus, fertile ground is being prepared for Pas to position itself as a champion of Malay rights, leveraging the narrative that Najib’s treatment—particularly the lack of transparency surrounding the house arrest addendum—is emblematic of broader injustices the community faces.
Despite the ongoing political schism between Umno and Najib, the rally on January 6th is expected to draw participation from a broad spectrum of Najib’s supporters, including those from Umno. This cooperation raises questions about whether the rally might rekindle Muafakat Nasional (MN), the short-lived but potent alliance between Umno and Pas that once galvanized Malay-Muslim unity. One of Najib's loyalists, Eric See To, who uses the pseudonym Lim Sian See, announced that he would attend the rally and had been promoting the Pas rally on his Facebook page.
This is not a strange move by Pas, judging by its history of political manoeuvring. It helped secure support for Anwar Ibrahim soon after Mahathir sacked him in 1998. The dynamics regarding the Najib issue within Bersatu, however, may be more complex. Muhyiddin Yassin and former PKR leaders may still be bitter with Najib, but the party now has once-staunched Najib supporters such as Tun Faisal and other members from Umno.
It is unclear how many members from Umno and Pas would be mobilized to the rally. However, a bigger question is whether the rally would be the spark that rekindled their once mighty Muafakat Nasional (MN). MN’s significance cannot be understated. Formed after Umno’s defeat in the 14th General Election, the pact showcased its mobilizing power during the 2018 anti-ICERD rally, which brought 55,000 supporters to the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
The parallels between the 2018 rally and the upcoming event are striking. Both capitalize on Malay dissatisfaction with the ruling government. Yet the stakes are higher now, as Umno’s dual role as both a government ally and a potential opposition force creates a volatile political landscape. Bersatu’s history of leveraging internal divisions—such as its 2020 exit from PH, justified by claims that DAP threatened Malay interests, according to this statement by Tun M—raises the possibility that Umno could follow a similar path if discontent within its ranks reaches a tipping point. Could Umno find such a reason to break away from the Madani government?
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s role in this unfolding drama is critical. During a recent BN convention, Zahid revealed that BN had been offered the prime ministership by opposition forces, a testament to his influence within Umno. Yet, Zahid now faces mounting pressure from within his party, as a resurgent pro-Najib faction, bolstered by Pas, threatens to undermine his leadership. Zahid’s ability to navigate this political minefield will likely determine whether MN resurfaces and what form it might take.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim was correct when he pointed to the fate of the current administration, as he predicted that the rally ‘could burn’ the Madani government. His prediction highlights the fragility of the current administration, which internal divisions and external pressures have plagued.
Whether the January 6 rally serves as a unifying moment for the opposition or a harbinger of greater instability for the government remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the Najib saga continues to cast a long shadow over Malaysia’s political landscape, with ramifications that extend far beyond the courtroom.
Ahmad Mustakim is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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