KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will continue to survive with or without Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
National Professors Council senior fellow Dr Jeniri Amir said the Federal Court's decision today to dismiss Najib's appeal in the controversial SRC International case could actually be a blessing in disguise for Umno.
This would require Umno to restrategise ahead of the 15th General Election, he said.
"The only effect that this (Federal Court decision) would have on Umno is in terms of campaigning for GE15 because Najib was the party's most popular figure on social media.
"This decision will not affect Umno, instead it could bring positive outcomes to the party.
"It all depends on how Umno would be able to effectively turn this around and use it for its own advantages," he told the New Straits Times.
Jeniri said while the verdict could affect Umno's vote from Najib's supporters, the party would in turn gain sympathy from fence-sitters.
"Umno has been worried about not being able to secure votes from fence-sitters. This decision could bring about more sympathy (votes) from them.
"Voters would also deduce that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who is also from Umno, had refrained from meddling in the case, despite being pressured to do so.
"It also shows that the courts are given the power to make their decisions without allowing any party to meddle."
Universiti Sains Malaysia's Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Umno must start making preparations to move on without Najib.
He said to prevent the public from making a conclusion that Umno was fixated on Najib's corruption cases, the party must now focus on making preparations for GE15.
"The party has to remain united and move beyond this (Najib's cases) to prepare for GE15. The best thing to do now is to make sure that will not disrupt the solidarity of the party," he said.
Today's Federal Court decision should not be taken as a sign that Najib's political career was over, said Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya.
He said just like opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Najib could actually gain more supporters in the long run.
"Anwar's supporters have actually increased over time and he continues to remain relevant in the political scene. He is also seen as a person who is capable of becoming the prime minister.
"Umno must look ahead and move on. It must reset itself with a fresh line-up. It is just like the old Malay adage 'patah tumbuh, hilang berganti' (what is lost, will be replaced)," he said.