KUALA LUMPUR – Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has made a direct appeal to Malaysia’s Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar Shah, requesting “compassion and leniency” for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is currently incarcerated.
Zahid, who is also the Chairman of Barisan Nasional (BN), emphasised that the appeal is to enable Najib to reunite with his family and party, local media reported.
Zahid stressed that he has not forgotten Najib, even as the latter remains behind bars, and continues to communicate with him despite accusations that Zahid’s involvement in the Unity Government was aimed at protecting his own interests.
“Every day, it is claimed that my decision to join the Unity Government was to save myself. I am said to have abandoned loyalty to Najib. Our sympathy, defence, and solidarity towards ‘Bossku’ (Najib) have become the subject of mockery. However, when it comes to Najib’s name, our support has never wavered. Our efforts to defend him have remained steadfast.”
The Umno president further declared, “Umno respectfully submits a petition to His Majesty the King, asking for His Majesty’s compassion towards Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, for any consideration and leniency that would allow him to return to his family and to us all.”
Zahid made these remarks during his presidential address at the Umno General Assembly (PAU) 2025, held at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
Additionally, Zahid relayed Najib’s greetings to the delegates, sharing that the former prime minister had personally contacted him during his time of hardship and sent his regards with the message, “Assalamualaikum” to all present.
Addressing party members, Zahid reiterated that the ongoing struggle and patience are essential components of the party’s strength. “Rest assured, my brothers and sisters, the leadership is not deaf to the grassroots voices. All grievances, concerns, and calls, including suggestions to exit the government, have been heard, assessed, and reviewed by the top leadership,” he added. “However, the decision we have made is not an easy one; it is based on the country’s welfare and the greater good of the people.”
On December 26, the Kuala Lumpur High Court found Najib guilty of 25 charges of money laundering and abuse of power in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal. Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
As a result, Najib was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined RM11.38 billion for abuse of power, with an additional five years for each charge of money laundering. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional 10 years of imprisonment.
However, the prison sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning Najib will serve a total of 15 years, which will begin after he completes his sentence in the SRC International case.
On December 22, the Kuala Lumpur High Court rejected Najib’s application to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. Judge Alice Loke Yee Ching determined that the request bypassed the Pardons Board under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, as the matter was never discussed or recommended by the board.
Last month, Najib was also convicted on additional charges related to abuse of power and money laundering involving nearly RM2.2 billion linked to the 1MDB scandal. – January 16, 2026