Zahid: Umno to make 'political decision' in response to Najib's conviction

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said his party will soon make a "political decision" in response to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in funds from state-owned SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Zahid, who accompanied Najib at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, said Umno will soon convene a meeting to discuss the conviction of their former party president.

"Surely, we will make a political decision as a result of today's decision.

"I hope we will remain calm and be open to any decision that the party will undertake," he told journalists at the Kuala Lumpur court complex after Najib's conviction was declared.

Zahid, who is also the Bagan Datuk MP, expressed sadness at the court's decision.

"On behalf of Umno, we abide by the decision the court has made against Najib.

"However, as a friend, I sympathise and am deeply saddened by the court's decision," he said.

Umno is part of the Perikatan Nasional government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Bersatu president.

Muhyiddin was Najib's deputy when the latter served as prime minister but was sacked in 2015 for questioning Najib amid allegations of grand corruption.

Muhyiddin went on to form a splinter party with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and ousted Najib's BN government from power in the 2018 general election.

Mahathir's Pakatan Harapan government lasted for only 22 months after Muhyiddin in February pulled Bersatu out of Harapan and joined forces with PKR defectors, BN, PAS, GPS, PBS and Star to form the new PN government.

Muhyiddin now leads a fragile government with only 113 seats in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.

Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali today found Najib guilty on all seven charges brought against him.

Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison and an RM210 million fine. The punishments for all charges are to run concurrently. 

The abuse of power charge was framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, which specifies a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of not less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The three CBT charges were under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years' jail, fine and whipping. However, Najib, who just turned 67 on July 23, is spared from being whipped due to his age.

The three money laundering charges were under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which has a penalty of a jail term up to 15 years and RM5 million fine or five times the amount involved, whichever is higher.

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