MELAKA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s return home to serve his house arrest has brought relief and joy to his family after four years apart, his daughter Nooryana Najwa Najib said.
She said her father looked visibly relieved when he stepped through the door and was happy to be reunited with his wife and other family members after their long separation.
“I managed to meet him on Tuesday night. After that, I travelled to Melaka, but we are very grateful that the family could see him.
“He felt relieved upon arriving home because he had faced various emotional and mental pressures during the four years away from his family,” she said when met at the Tangga Batu parliamentary command centre here.
On Sept 18, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine.
Nooryana said her family would comply with and respect all conditions set by the prison authorities regarding her father’s house arrest.
“My family and I are very grateful that Datuk Seri Najib has returned home and begun his house arrest. I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the prison authorities who took good care of him,” she said.
On the Melaka state election, Nooryana said Barisan Nasional (BN) had an advantage in fielding young candidates because it was putting forward individuals with experience and the trust of voters to serve as future party leaders.
She said BN welcomed the participation of young candidates from various parties as a positive development for democracy. However, the coalition prioritised candidates who had already earned voters’ confidence over newcomers who still had to build recognition and support.
“They do not just come and contest to represent a generation of young leaders, but they are leaders who have experience, have served and have a track record.
“We welcome all young candidates, and I think everyone should be given a chance. However, on BN’s part, we always prioritise candidates whom we feel have already gained the confidence and trust of the residents,” she said.
On the expected turnout among young voters, she said the “fear of missing out” phenomenon and the use of social media in political campaigning were unavoidable trends.
She said young people’s enthusiasm for participating in the democratic process was positive, adding that BN’s responsibility was to explain its offerings, which she described as better for young people than those of rival parties.