Najib implores Umno members not to undermine presidency

KUALA LUMPUR — United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president Najib Razak yesterday urged his members to protect the party’s presidency, as failure to do so would cause the Malay ruling party to be weak.

Mr Najib, who is also Malaysia’s Prime Minister, said while it is acceptable to have differences of opinions, that does not mean those differences could be used to betray or tear down the party.

“There are proper channels that can be used to settle differences within the party in accordance with the Constitution and the Malay culture. Differences of opinions are normal, even a husband and wife can sometimes pull a long face,” he was quoted as saying by the Malaysian media during the opening of several Umno divisional meetings yesterday.

“(But) don’t bring down the institution of Umno. We can have disagreements, but do not betray the party’s sacred struggles.” He reminded members of the need for moral principles. Members need to take care of both the party and its institution, and “not take care of Najib’’. He added: “Love me as the president because one day my successor will take over (the post and duties of the party president).”

Mr Najib said this days after reports emerged last week that his former deputy, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin, would head the new political party backed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Mr Muhyiddin had been without a party after being sacked from Umno following criticisms against Mr Najib over financial irregularities in state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Dr Mahathir — who has accused Mr Najib of corruption linked to 1MDB and had quit Umno earlier this year — said last month that he would be a founding member of a party that will ally with the opposition parties to ensure straight fights against Barisan Nasional in the next general election.

Without naming names, Mr Najib yesterday criticised those who betrayed Umno. “These are the same people who used to call their enemies all sorts of names and now working together with them. “Where are their principles of morality? As politician, one must have morality principles,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said party leaders need to resolve their internal problems to ensure Umno continues to govern the country, citing the need to take lessons from within Malaysia as well as world history that had witnessed many powers being felled due to internal strife.

“Enough ... learn from the experience of the world, resolve internal problems. Do not entertain feelings of anger and disappointment among us. Enough with what happened. We do not want it to happen again in Umno and BN because the price is too costly,” he said.

He also reminded party members to avoid being too complacent with the power that they currently hold. “Our problem is when we have the power, we feel that we will have the power forever.” AGENCIES