Umno may submit resolution on Najib’s release to the King - Ahmad Maslan

SHAH ALAM - Umno may submit an official party resolution seeking the release of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, subject to approval and mandate from the party’s general assembly next January.

Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the proposed resolution would reflect the views and appeals of Umno grassroots members and would be conveyed through constitutional and proper channels.

"This resolution must be made through a proper and constitutional channel. We are not making demands, but conveying an application and appeal to the King," he said when met during the Selangor Umno veterans public dialogue session on Monday.

Ahmad said that the Umno general assembly is the party’s highest decision-making platform and any resolution passed would represent the official stance of the party.

“When the general assembly passes a resolution, it becomes the official voice of the party and should rightly be conveyed by the president himself," he said.

Addressing grassroots reactions to the High Court’s decision involving Najib, Ahmad acknowledged feelings of anger and disappointment among party members, but cautioned against allowing emotions to override rational judgement.

"If we follow our emotions, of course we are angry, but emotions lead nowhere. Instead, we must look at the implications of this political decision on the federal government and state governments such as Pahang, Perak and Negeri Sembilan," he said.

He reiterated that Umno would continue its efforts to seek Najib’s release, while also ensuring that political stability remains a priority.

"That is why I mention figures, so that rationality prevails over emotion," he said.

Ahmad also noted that there had been calls from some Umno division chiefs for the party to reassess its position in the Unity Government following the High Court’s decision to maintain Najib’s remaining prison sentence at Kajang prison.

He stressed that Umno would continue to act in accordance with the law and uphold respect for the institution of the Constitutional Monarchy in expressing its stance.

On Monday, the High Court dismissed Najib’s judicial review application to compel the government and six other parties to implement the addendum order that would allow him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, linked to the misappropriation of RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.