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SHAH ALAM - A student representative has questioned the rationale behind public donations to help former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pay his RM50 million fine.
Raising the issue during a dialogue with former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Ummi Umairah Bakhit from Universiti Malaya called the fundraising campaign the 'stupidest thing' she had witnessed.
"The stupidest thing I have watched in my entire life is people donating to our former prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, someone who clearly has a worldwide corruption case, 1MDB and is clearly linked to corruption," she said.
The Najib Razak Solidarity Fund was set up by Umno on Sept 18, 2026, with a target of RM50 million to help Najib pay the fine associated with his conditional house arrest arrangement.
According to reports, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party had collected RM9.25 million for the fund as of Sept 27, leaving RM40.75 million still to be raised.
The fundraising drive was launched following the announcement of a conditional royal pardon allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his custodial sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the full payment of the RM50 million fine and conditions of the arrangement.
During the dialogue, Ummi had also questioned the panellists on their stance towards corruption, citing several controversies, including an alleged RM4 million payment to the son of a political figure and issues involving Tabung Haji.
She challenged the political leaders to explain their positions on corruption and how young Malaysians could hold those in power accountable.
"With this in mind, can I know what all of the panelists stand for firmly on these issues?
"How would you advise young people who will soon be future leaders, to speak up against corruption and feudalism, to think critically and to speak with facts and statistical data?," she said.
Videos of Ummi questioning political leaders have circulated on social media, drawing praise from users who commended her for raising the issues directly with the panellists.
Threads user Peann praised her courage, saying her remarks reflected public frustration over corruption and the fundraising campaign for former prime minister.
"Salute to Ummi Umairah for her courage. At a time when many are blinded by power and money, you stood up to defend the truth. Donating RM50 million to Najib? Being called ‘rude’ for asking about 1MDB? That is not helping, that is stupidity.
"That is not being rude, that is the voice of a people fed up with 60 years of corruption," he wrote.
Another user, Zahid Hassan, said Ummi had shown courage by questioning the panellists despite her young age.
"Being young is no reason to be afraid to speak up," the user wrote.
Meanwhile, social media user Elijah Ling praised Ummi for raising concerns about Tabung Haji and donations from lower- and middle-income Malaysians to Najib.
"We must dare to highlight corruption in front of our leaders, regardless of whether they are in the government or the opposition," the user wrote.
