KUALA LUMPUR: A group calling itself “Solidariti Bersama Datuk Najib” has launched the #FREENAJIB campaign to raise funds for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s remaining RM500,000 bail.
The group, which is led by former Umno federal territories youth chief Datuk Mohd Razlan Rafii, said Najib needed financial aid because the family’s accounts had been frozen.
“It is hard for Najib (and his family) to raise money for the bail in the next few days.
“His family already posted RM500,000 and he needs another RM500,000 by 3pm on Monday (July 9).
“We hope to collect the money through this initiative,” he told reporters at the launch of the fund near Najib’s home here this afternoon.
Razlan said that the fund’s launch was timely as there were still many Umno members and other Malaysians who sympathised with Najib’s plight.
“Many people have called me personally asking how they can help Najib.
“Some of them have contributed RM2 and RM3 each.
“Many Umno members and the public sympathise with Najib and wish to help him post bail,” he said, adding that the fund drive would be closed at 12pm on Monday because the deadline for Najib’s family to post the remainder RM500,000 bail was 3pm that day.
On Wednesday, the High Court here imposed RM1 million bail on Najib, who faced four charges involving abuse of power and criminal breach of trust of RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s monies.
SRC International used to be a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), which is the subject of criminal investigations here and abroad.
Razlan said they had already managed to raise RM11,000 so far.
“Najib was moved by the fact many still support him. He needs all the financial and moral support,” said Razlan.
On what would they do with any surplus monies that exceed the RM500,000 fund target, he said that it could be used as part of a separate fund to help people who became “victims” of the government’s “politics of vengeance”.
“In regards to any surplus, Najib had asked us to open a welfare fund to help Malaysians and Umno leaders who have suffered under the government’s politics of vengeance.
“The politics of vengeance will not stop with Najib. This is only the beginning,” he said.
Also present were Sungai Acheh assemblyman Datuk Mahmud Zakaria and Lembah Pantai Umno chief Muhammad Muqharabbin Mokhtaruddin.