Wanita Umno has reaffirmed its loyalty to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying the party should not “erase history” as it looks towards the future.
Its chief, Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, said Umno should continue to recognise leaders who had devoted their lives to the party and the country.
“We appreciate those who have contributed to the party. We appreciate the leaders of the past who devoted a large part of their lives to Umno and the country.
“And Wanita Umno also does not forget the contributions of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. We do not need to erase history to build the future,” she said in her policy speech at the Wanita Umno general assembly today.
Noraini, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said Najib’s role in Malaysia’s economic transformation, infrastructure development and public assistance remained part of the country’s history regardless of the current political climate.
While acknowledging the ongoing legal proceedings involving Najib, Noraini said respect for the judiciary should not prevent people from showing compassion.
“But respecting the legal process does not prevent us from having human values. Wanita Umno knows how to remember the contributions of others,” she said.
At the close of her address, Noraini also prayed for Najib and his family, expressing hope that they would be given strength to face their current difficulties.
“We continue to pray that the doors of justice and compassion will be opened, so that he can return to his family and continue the struggle together,” she said.
Najib is currently serving a prison sentence following one of his convictions linked to the 1MDB global corruption scandal.
