Syaza Shukri from the International Islamic University Malaysia said although the move may seem at odds with Umno’s stance, Akmal, the Merlimau assemblyman, would be attending the rally in his personal capacity.

“Certainly, as a leader within Umno, this decision will be seen as misaligned with the party. However, this is typical of Akmal. He prefers to navigate politics independently and still hopes that Umno will return to its former glory,” Syaza told FMT.

“I believe the public understands that Akmal and Umno Youth have their own agenda and do not represent the entirety of the party.”

Yesterday, Akmal said he would attend the rally to express his personal solidarity with the former Umno president, despite the party’s decision not to join the gathering in adherence to a statement issued by Istana Negara last Friday.

The palace had called for the royal prerogative on pardons and established procedures to be respected.

Lau Zhe Wei, also from IIUM, said Akmal’s plan to show solidarity with Najib was not a major issue.

“Akmal is attending in his personal capacity, so it does not affect Umno,” he said.

Najib is currently serving a six-year prison sentence, halved by the Federal Territories Pardons Board from the initial 12 years, following his conviction in the SRC International case.

The rally will coincide with the Court of Appeal’s hearing on Najib’s application for leave to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest. He claims the order was issued in a supplementary decree to the board’s Feb 2 announcement.

PAS has said it will join the rally, despite Putrajaya police chief Aidi Sham Mohamed saying yesterday the application for the event was incomplete and thus rejected.