Umno’s Puad Zarkashi suggests judge in Najib trial is crooked

(FMT) – A PPBM Supreme Council member has criticised his Umno counterpart for describing former prime minister Najib Razak’s conviction as an act of “vengeance”.

In a statement, Faiz Na’aman said Puad Zarkashi’s remarks were careless and instigative.

He said it was as if Puad, an Umno Supreme Council member, was uneasy with the Perikatan Nasional administration, which was supported by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Yesterday, Puad claimed what had befallen Najib was an act of vengeance and that PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin would be “happy” that Najib had been found guilty of all seven counts of corruption in relation with RM42 million belonging to former 1MDB unit SRC International.

Najib was sentenced to 12 years’ jail, fined RM210 million and is appealing the verdict.

Faiz pointed out that Najib’s corruption trials began before Muhyiddin became prime minister.

“In fact, the former prime minister (Najib) himself openly said he wants to face trial to prove his innocence. So where is the vengeance?

“Does Puad want Muhyiddin to interfere in the court case because the Pekan MP supports the prime minister?”

Faiz said there was a need for people to understand the separation of powers and respect the independence of the courts.

He called on the leaders of Muafakat Nasional, the alliance of Umno and PAS, to be patient, rational and mature in their comments.