Umno Never Defended Convicted Leaders Asyraf

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INTERVIEW | Umno has never defended a leader who has been found guilty in its 73-year long history, said Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki
He said this when asked to comment on various current and former Umno leaders who have been turning up in court to face charges against them
“If you look at Umno’s history, we have never defended a leader who has been found guilty. As long as they have not been found guilty, we cannot punish them before the court does
“Has (former Umno president) Najib Abdul Razak been convicted? He was only charged. In Islam, we cannot punish someone until he is proven guilty,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview

On Nov 11, Najib who is also the former prime minister was ordered to enter his defence on seven charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering, involving RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds
Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali said the prosecution had successfully made a prima facie case against Najib, whom he said played a key role in Retirement Fund Incorporated’s 2011 loan
He also said the former premier had used the RM42 million from SRC for his own interests
If found guilty, Najib would face up to 20 years in prison, and a fine up to five times the amount of gratification
Asyraf (photo) said no one should be sidelined from Umno because they each have their own role to play
He said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Najib, and former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, should combine forces
He said these leaders have their own strengths, such as Najib who is an effective opposition MP by answering various criticisms aimed at the previous government
However, Asyraf stressed that Umno would not compromise on matters of integrity, including graft and abuse of power
“If it is true that they (our leaders) are guilty, Umno would not defend them. But don’t get ahead of the court and follow the rule of law
“Najib as the former prime minister has his own strengths. Today Najib is an effective opposition who can back his criticism with facts," he added
Revisiting history, Asyraf pointed to the 1976 episode when Umno did not defend its former Youth chief Harun Idris when he was implicated in allegations of graft
Instead, he said the party, especially its Youth wing, admitted they had made a mistake and needed to improve
As for Umno’s defeat at the previous general election, Asyraf said this was punishment from the people due to various factors, and the party needs to move forward from that episode
The defeat is the best opportunity to get the party back on track towards serving the people, he said
“That is why our mantra is to rise again, to return to the roots of Umno’s struggle,” Asyraf added. - Mkini

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