'Never talked with PAS': Umno leaders say pro-Najib rally not political

Summary

• Umno leaders say the solidarity rally with imprisoned former PM Najib Abdul Razak - which PAS is participating in - has nothing to do with politics.

• Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi says his party had never communicated with PAS about the rally and had already organised it before the latter expressed interest.

• The party’s Kelantan liaison chief and Youth chief have also criticised DAP leader Lim Guan Eng over an earlier warning that the rally could undermine the government.

Umno leaders today said that the solidarity rally with PAS for incarcerated former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has nothing to do with politics.

They also took the opportunity to criticise DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng for warning that such events could destabilise the federal coalition government.

In a statement, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi said that his party had never held discussions with PAS to hold the rally together.

“Umno already planned it earlier, even before PAS came out with a letter requesting its members to attend the said rally.

“Therefore, Lim needs to sit quietly and not make a fuss. You go and solve your corruption problem.

“You (Lim) said the rally could affect the unity of the Madani government, but hiding the royal addendum is an even greater threat to the future of the unity government,” he said.

Earlier today, Lim cautioned Umno that any joint programme with the opposition party PAS - whether solidarity gatherings or demonstrations - risks undermining political stability and casting doubt on Umno’s position in the government.

He also emphasised that such actions could erode public confidence in Umno’s sincerity in forming the federal government under the mandate of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2022.

Umno and PAS are set to put aside their differences temporarily as they prepare to stand together in a solidarity gathering for Najib on Jan 6 at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.

The rally coincides with a hearing concerning an alleged royal addendum that could potentially allow Najib to serve the remainder of his prison term under house arrest.

PAS had issued an internal memo urging members to turn up at the rally, which will be the first time since 2022 that PAS and Umno - once allies under the Muafakat Nasional banner - will be teaming up.

‘Who are you to criticise Umno?’

Meanwhile, Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairperson Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub issued a statement telling Lim not to be “afraid of his own shadow”, even though PAS has instructed its members to attend and show support.

“Umno does not prevent any Malaysian citizen from joining and showing support alongside us. This has nothing to do with any political agenda.”

He said Umno has held to its stance that Najib was selectively prosecuted by the 7th prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which was continued by the next prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Umno remains committed to its position that Najib was denied a fair trial and that it was a meticulous plan by Mahathir and Muhyiddin to eliminate his influence.

“This gathering is a peaceful rally in solidarity with our former leaders who were clearly persecuted.

“Umno remains committed to supporting the unity government of today and maintaining harmonious relations between government parties,” he said.

Besides that, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh scoffed at Lim’s warning, dismissing the Bagan MP.

“I also want to tell Lim, who are you to criticise Umno? Who are you to direct Umno?

“The more you criticise Umno, I promise the more people will come for the rally on the 6th,” he said in a video posted to his Facebook account.

He said the rally is not connected to the federal coalition government and is a show of solidarity for Najib.

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