COMMENT | Najib Abdul Razak, judging by his haughty manner, remains a stubborn and defiant figure. The former prime minister refuses to acknowledge that his days frolicking on the political beach are over and that he should ride off to the sunset.

It is clear as daylight that Najib is no longer a respected leader, but a commoner who will most probably be languishing in a cell for the next 12 years.

Yet, he thinks Umno still loves him and will stand by him despite his conviction of a crime most abominable. Somehow, in his twisted mind, he sees himself as an innocent victim who has a chance of vindicating himself and leading his party again.

But why should Umno embrace him? Why should even the grassroots rally around him? Is he still indispensable? Is he bigger than the party?

Umno is a grand old man that the Malays have looked up to for guidance these many decades. It was treated with marked respect and unblinking affection.

Najib had all the chance in the world to take Umno to greater heights when he led the party from 2008 until 2018. During the nine years that he was also the prime minister, he could have made Malaysia a respected name in the...