{
  "id": 8247433,
  "title": "Perak, Melaka, Johor Umno back Najib solidarity fund",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/perak-melaka-johor-umno-back-najib-solidarity-fund",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T12:42:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1535724/perak-melaka-johor-umno-back-najib-solidarity-fund"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Perak, Melaka, and Johor Umno leaders have applauded the party's effort to raise funds to aid former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in paying a RM50 million fine. Saarani Mohamad, chairman of the Perak Umno liaison committee and Perak Menteri Besar, expressed gratitude for the conditional pardon granted to Najib by the Pardons Board and King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim. He highlighted the importance of respecting the judicial process and the monarch's compassionate power. Saarani lauded Umno President Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's move to launch a contribution fund, pledging Perak Umno's support. Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh called on Najib's supporters to contribute in various ways to help settle the fine. In Johor, Umno Information Chief Md Israk Abdullah clarified that Najib's house arrest doesn't mean the conviction is canceled; he's still serving the remaining sentence as per the terms decided through legal channels. Md Israk also encouraged everyone to respect the decision and not manipulate facts for political gains. He backed Umno Malaysia's Najib Razak Solidarity Fund, allowing voluntary contributions to help Najib pay the fine, which he can now serve under house arrest until August 23, 2028.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders in Perak, Melaka and Johor have welcomed the party’s initiative to raise funds to help former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak settle his RM50 million fine.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Johor Umno welcomes Najib's house detention decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/johor-umno-welcomes-najibs-house-detention-decision",
        "published": "2026-09-18T10:17:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}