Umno harps on pardon for Najib in bid to clean up party’s image: Analysts

“Umno grassroots still prefer to ‘clean’ Najib instead of accepting the fact that their party is in tatters," said an analyst.

Analysts believe that the calls to release former Malaysian premier Najib Razak have divided Umno.

PHOTO: ST FILE

Zunaira Saieed

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s repeated

pleas for a royal pardon for jailed former premier Najib Razak

are a tactic to absolve the party whose image has been tainted by corruption, while diverting attention from its leadership flaws and waning support among Malay-Muslim voters, say analysts.

Last Friday, during the party’s general assembly, Umno president Zahid Hamidi

called for Najib’s release from prison.

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