A file pic dated Nov 21, 2019, shows Datuk Seri Najib Razak (right) supporting his former deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ahead of the Yayasan Akalbudi trial at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex. - NSTP file pic
A file pic dated Nov 21, 2019, shows Datuk Seri Najib Razak (right) supporting his former deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ahead of the Yayasan Akalbudi trial at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex. - NSTP file pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin described the release of former prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak as bringing greater value to Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), compared to Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast with former Umno information chief, Shahril Sufian Hamdan yesterday, Khairy said Najib's release would at least add value to the unity government.

"Comparing 'Bossku (Najib)' with Zahid, the person, who will add value to curb the 'green wave' is Najib. What can he (Zahid) do? He has no added value," he said.

After 77 days of trial at the High Court, Zahid was acquitted without discharge (DNAA) of 47 charges involving the Akalbudi Foundation after the Attorney General's Office (A-GC) made an application to the court.

Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed the request of the A-GC to stop the trial proceedings for all charges against the deputy prime minister.

Khairy also claimed that the government now employed a 'kitchen-sink' approach, doing unfavourable things and hoping that the situation would improve later.

"Kitchen-sink everything and release Najib because he will bring more value to you. You have buried Malaysia's purity. Pardon him," he said in the programme.

In the meantime, Khairy said in a cheek-in-tongue manner that Tuesday was the 'Reformasi' 25th anniversary, but the decision to release Zahid had turned the 'reformasi' chant to 'reformati (death of reformation)'.

"I feel sad because yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of the so-called 'Reformasi', but it has also turned into a day of 'Reformati'.

"He went through many challenges to become the prime minister and if we look at the formation of character, he must want a good ending for himself, but now he has to 'carry' this issue," he said.