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Najib rallies UMNO for upcoming election as he wraps up general assembly

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has declared that this year’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno) annual general assembly is the best, adding that internal matters within the party have been resolved.

Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak speaking at the opening of UMNO's general assembly on Dec 1, 2016. Photo: UMNO Media.

Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak speaking at the opening of UMNO's general assembly on Dec 1, 2016. Photo: UMNO Media.

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has declared that this year’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno) annual general assembly is the best, adding that internal matters within the party have been resolved.

“From 1976 until now, I have attended every single assembly without fail, and I can say this is the best assembly to date,” Mr Najib, who is the party president, said during his closing speech earlier today (Dec 3).

Mr Najib said everyone in Umno is on the “same team”.

“We are all ready. I see the fighting spirit. I see you delegates have the strong commitment today to solve our internal problems. So where do we head to? To the 14th general election.”


Mr Najib whose political career in Umno began when he was in his early 20s, said the Malay nationalist party has regrouped and become stronger, after the departure of several senior office-bearers including his deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin.


He was also quoted as saying by the New Straits Times that the party has resolved its internal issues and is now ready to face the next general election to be called by 2018.


Despite slight signs of division in the party due to the departure of former Premier Mahathir Mohamad and Mr Muhyiddin, Mr Najib appears to have successfully consolidated his power among the party members.

Buoyed by a surge of support, Mr Najib said that Umno is a party with a big heart and it will continue to serve the people, not just the indigenous Bumiputera community but all Malaysians. 


“The party is not only serving three million members, and we don’t think about them only. Umno thinks about the 31 million Malaysians and this is why we need to move forward to realise our transformation plan,” he said.


Mr Najib also took a swipe at his detractors and said they have blamed him for everything including the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal.


“The government has explained about the issue and yet several quarters are still aiming the gun at me.

If there are weaknesses, we will improve it.”


“But don’t make me responsible for everything,” he said. AGENCIES with additional reporting by KOI KYE LEE





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