I am a thief of hearts, says Malaysia’s Najib after Semenyih walkabout

KUALA LUMPUR — Like a celebrity caught shopping for groceries, former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak caused a stir on Feb 13 when he showed up at Tesco Semenyih, three days before campaigning for a by-election is scheduled to begin.

During the 30-minute stop at the hypermarket, Najib bought a bottle of mineral water, a bottle of cooking oil, a bottle of lychee cordial, a bag of peanuts, a bag of chillies, and three bars of Kit Kat before proceeding to an Indian Muslim restaurant.

Throughout the one-and-a-half hour appearance, Najib, who wore a blue sweater, neither stopped to chat for too long with anyone nor take questions in his walkabout.

But the son of one of the country’s most revered prime ministers was nevertheless pleased with the turnout that comprised of several hundred Umno followers and curious onlookers.

“I did not expect the phenomenal turnout,” said the beaming man when reporters asked whether the size of the crowd signalled victory for Umno, the he once led for nine years before it lost power after 61 years in last year’s general election.

“This shows that people want to be close to me as a leader. Hopefully, it will be translated into victory,” said Najib, who is facing 42 criminal charges for money laundering, abuse of power and corruption.

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While Najib neither stopped to answer questions about his administration or the charges he is facing, his goal of scoring a few brownie points for Umno seems to have worked.

“I came here to see and support him. He’s the former prime minister and I cannot bear to see the fake allegations against him,” said 49-year-old Norlizan Muhamad.

“Many people say he is corrupt but nobody has shown any proof yet.

“I want to show that he still has support,” said the indignant housewife.

Another Semenyih resident, who wanted to be identified only as Amirul, said Najib still has an aura about him.

“But I don’t think people are here to support him,” said the 35-year-old.

At one of the roadside stalls opposite the Indian Muslim restaurant, a couple from Johor smirked as Najib’s entourage passed them.

“Doesn’t he shop in America? Why is he shopping in Tesco Semenyih?” asked a retired narcotics policeman.

Amir, who sells chicken rice in front of Tesco, said: “Maybe, he’s too free now. But he has never come here before when he was prime minister”.

Either way, Najib was proud of his shopping and regarded the turnout a success.

When asked what he thought about Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali calling him a “thief”, Najib grinned and said: “I’m a thief of hearts who has many supporters.” THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT