Malays will be ‘damned’ if BN loses next election

KUALA LUMPUR — In a closed-door meeting yesterday ahead of its much-touted congress, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) President Najib Razak told delegates that Malays and Islam will be “damned” if the Barisan Nasional coalition’s anchor party loses in the next general election.

A party insider said Mr Najib had issued the strongly-worded message in a reminder of what was at stake for the party in a rebuke of the lacklustre efforts to win back support following the results of last year’s general election.

“He raised the issue about UMNO’s weak machinery, that it was moving too slow in trying to regain support,” UMNO supreme council member Puad Zarkashi said after the meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre. “The rebuke to UMNO leaders was a clear signal that he is not happy with things.

“He said if UMNO is defeated, the Malays would be damned. Those were his exact words. He also said religion is at stake,” Mr Puad said.

Mr Najib told a closed-door meeting that the UMNO machinery was not doing enough despite more than a year having passed since the 13th general election.

Mr Puad said Mr Najib pinpointed the scenario of a defeated UMNO and the Malay decline as a reminder to the delegates to be proactive and work towards rejuvenating the party.

He said he had never seen Mr Najib, who is known for his calm approach, lash out or use such strong words.

“I guess this is the party President at his angriest. Probably he is tired of just talking and decided to use stronger words this time to get his message across,” Mr Puad said.

The former Batu Pahat MP added that Mr Najib also told the party to be open to fresh blood and that he wanted to see the implementation of online registration of new members.

“When the President announced he wanted this to happen with immediate effect, he is signalling to all members that he is serious and does not want to hear stories of members driving away professionals and scholars from joining the party,” he said. AGENCIES