‘Najib campaigning not a wise strategy’

Johari: Perception of graft lingers despite explanations

PETALING JAYA: A senior Umno leader has questioned whether it was a wise strategy to allow Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to campaign for the party in the recent Sungai Kandis by-election.

Titiwangsa Umno chief Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said this was because the former prime minister was facing multiple corruption and power abuse allegations, which created a negative perception in the minds of Malaysians.

“Even though explanations were given, the perception of corruption and power abuse (lingered) and it still wasn’t enough to convince voters to vote for Umno,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Johari, who is the former Second Finance Minister, questioned Umno’s strategy to place Najib as a central figure in the Sungai Kandis by-election campaign which the party lost, and asked if he should figure in the coming Seri Setia and Balakong state by-elections.

Johari, who failed to retain his Titiwangsa parliamentary seat in the general election, also said members may draw comparison between Najib and DAP’s Lim Guan Eng, the present Finance Minister who is facing corruption charges.

Johari said Umno should not emulate DAP.

“We should also make this a stepping stone to create a new benchmark, where Umno will prioritise the integrity and credibility of its leaders as an important agenda in our struggle,” he added.

Johari proposed that Umno forget about its past as it had a new president and leadership.

“If Umno does not change and still defends its legacy and issues that people have rejected in the last election, then Umno could become history,” he cautioned.

In an immediate reaction, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Najib should be treated fairly.

“If a friend is no longer in power, we should still hold them in the same regard.

“Even if you have differences of opinion, there are courteous ways to make them known,” he said at Parliament lobby yesterday.