Hasnal Rezua urges Umno members to trust Zahid’s efforts to seek justice for Najib through legal means
KUALA LUMPUR: The struggle to seek justice for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has become an integral part of Umno’s fight, said Selangor Umno delegate Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican.
Hasnal, who is also Selayang Umno division chief said that party members must place their trust in the leadership of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in their sruggle to defend Najib.
Hasnal said delegates were in agreement that efforts to secure justice for Najib should continue, but stressed that the approach and strategy must be left to the wisdom of the party president.
“The struggle for justice for Najib is already part of Umno’s struggle. Whether we agree or not, we must submit to the wisdom of the president,” he said while debating the president’s address at the Umno General Assembly here.
He said legal matters should be handled through proper judicial channels, pointing that Najib has his own legal team to manage court proceedings.
However, he said Umno’s political effort, as outlined by Ahmad Zahid, is to seek compassion through constitutional means by submitting an appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“What we want is justice through what the president mentioned earlier — to humbly submit an appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, seeking ‘drops of compassion’ for Najib.”
Hasnal urged party members to stop casting doubt on Ahmad Zahid’s sincerity, saying accusations that the Umno president had forgotten Najib after securing his own political position were unfounded and unfair.
“I want to say this clearly, trust the president. Some people say I’m trying to flatter him, but that’s not true.”
He revealed that he was among the few individuals, apart from Najib’s lawyers, who had been allowed to meet the former prime minister in prison.
During the meeting, Hasnal said Najib himself acknowledged the efforts undertaken by Ahmad Zahid and the Umno leadership.
Hasnal said those accusing Ahmad Zahid of abandoning Najib — or suggesting it would be politically advantageous for Najib to remain in prison — should reflect on their actions.
“Don’t become more ‘Bossku’ than Bossku himself,” he said, using Najib’s popular moniker.
“Bossku himself said Datuk Seri Zahid is helping him.”
He added that Najib had also expressed similar sentiments in a written note that was shown to Umno division chiefs, reinforcing the former prime minister’s confidence in the current leadership..
Hasnal said Ahmad Zahid had taken significant personal and political risks in continuing to pursue the matter, citing the Umno president’s decision to sign an affidavit in 2024 affirming that he had sighted the alleged addendum order related to Najib’s case.
