'Don't pour oil on the fire": Zahid issues stern warning after Najib ruling

SHAH ALAM – Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has issued a stern warning against "pouring oil on a raging fire" following the High Court's dismissal of Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest bid.

Although the Facebook post was brief, it is widely believed to be directed at DAP leaders who allegedly "celebrated" the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to dismiss the former prime minister’s judicial review application regarding the royal addendum.

Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir joined the fray, criticising the conduct of Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin.

Zambry described the DAP lawmaker’s actions as "inappropriate," noting that court decisions involve personal suffering and have significant consequences for the individuals and families concerned.

The court's ruling has triggered a sharp reaction within Umno.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has gone as far as urging the party to withdraw its support for the current government.

He stressed that it would be better for Umno to serve as a "dignified Opposition" than to remain in a coalition where it feels humiliated by its partners.

The backlash follows the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s rejection of Najib’s application to compel the government to implement a royal addendum that would have allowed him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

Judge Alice Loke Yee Ching ruled that the alleged order was never discussed during the 61st Pardons Board meeting.

She clarified that the order was not made in accordance with procedures under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, as the specific issue of house arrest was not decided during the session.

According to the judge, the supplementary document only contained a recommendation to consider Najib’s request for a full pardon and a reduction of his sentence, rather than a finalized order for home detention.

The 72-year-old former Pekan MP has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, following his conviction for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

With this application rejected, Najib remains at the facility, with a scheduled release date of Aug 23, 2028.

However, the defence still has the opportunity to file an appeal against the decision at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.