KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has "kept" his promise to show solidarity with the party's former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak for the former prime minister's house arrest application appeal.
Akmal is at the Palace of Justice in his personal capacity after Umno announced on Friday that it would not be part of a rally in support of Najib in response to the King's decree on pardons and the Inspector-General of Police's directive on the gathering.
In a Facebook post today, Akmal, the Merlimau assemblyman uploaded photos of him with other Najib supporters.
He said a "real man" would stand by the people and not "sit in a hotel".
An estimated 1,000 people are at the Palace of Justice, including Najib supporters and Pas leaders and members.
Some arrived before 8am, chanting "Hidup Bossku" and "Bebas Bossku", in reference to Najib's moniker.
Najib himself arrived at 8.35am amid heavy police presence.
Pas and Barisan Nasional parties had initially planned to hold a rally outside of the courtroom today. However, the application for the assembly was rejected due to an incomplete submission.
Subsequently, Razarudin warned the public against taking part in any illegal gatherings seeking pardons, saying the King's royal decree on pardons must be respected.
All BN component parties have since withdrawn from the gathering.
Najib, the former Umno president, is appealing the High Court's dismissal of his application for leave to commence a judicial review regarding an alleged addendum.
The addendum, purportedly issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, would allow Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.