YOURSAY | After four long years, justice is at hand

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Even from jail, Najib will remain a political kingmaker

KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Razak may be behind bars, but the former prime minister will loom large over the next battle for control in the nation’s Parliament.

Najib began serving a 12-year prison sentence on Tuesday, after the Federal Court upheld his 2020 conviction for his role in one of the world’s largest financial scandals.

While the decision bars Najib, 69, from running again and mounting a political comeback in upcoming elections, the disgraced former premier retains widespread popularity and deep influence in the ruling Umno.

Umno remains committed to holding elections as soon as possible to take advantage of a better-than-expected economy and fractured opposition, a senior ruling party official said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who has pledged to hold elections at the “right time”, will have to maintain his alliance with Najib loyalists if he wants to keep his seat, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

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