KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the former prime minister and Umno president now serving a 12-year jail sentence for stealing RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd, was conferred the youth leadership award by his party's youth wing this morning.

Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the newly-elected Umno Youth chief, said the accolade was a token of appreciation for Najib's services and contribution to the country.

He praised Najib for rolling out pro-people "holistic” policies.

"Bossku, he served the people,” Dr Muhamad Akmal said in his opening speech of the wing's annual general assembly at the Tun Razak Hall in the World Trade Centre here.

"Remember he introduced so many policies that helped the youths especially,” he added.

"Bossku” is the moniker that Najib adopted during a nationwide public relations drive to recapture support for Umno after the Barisan Nasional coalition it leadslost in the 14th general election in 2018.

The Umno Youth leadership award is given yearly in conjunction with the Umno annual general assembly.

The award was accepted on Najib’s behalf by his son Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib.