by ANIS HAZIM / pic by TMR

UMNO will continue to support its former president Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak in other trials despite losing his final appeal in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case yesterday.

Its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (picture) said the party was saddened by the trial’s conclusion by the Federal Court.

“Umno is upset when the process for the former Prime Minister’s (PM) legal team to further defend him with new evidence and arguments was denied and rejected by the court,” Ahmad Zahid said in a Facebook post today, adding that Najib had shown formidable fighting spirit in the Umno leadership after the 14th General Election (GE14).

“The Federal Court verdict cannot deny Najib’s significant contribution in steering Malaysia’s tremendous achievement until it was marked by the two previous governments after the GE14,” he said.

Meanwhile, he called all Umno members to continue fighting for justice.

“Umno will forever stand with Najib in his other trials, to ensure he gets real justice without any political intimidation,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid said justice would include the revelation by former Attorney General Tommy Thomas about the Pakatan Harapan PM’s political intervention in the appointment of top judges and in the judiciary.

To recap, Malaysia’s Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat was sworn in in 2019 based on the advice of ex-PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and consultation of rulers which took place during the PH administration.

Yesterday, Najib was sent to Kajang prison to begin serving his 12-year sentence, as well as an RM210 million fine after the Federal Court rejected his appeal on the misappropriation of funds from SRC International.