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Muhyiddin’s sting fails, UMNO leaders rally around Najib

KUALA LUMPUR — The Monday (Dec 7) rally by staunch critics of Mr Najib Razak appears to have had little effect on UMNO leaders and divisional delegates, who last night rallied around the embattled president and prime minister, helping to ensure a trouble-free party annual general assembly for him this week.

Malaysia's former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin speaks at a political rally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec 7, 2015. Photo: AP

Malaysia's former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin speaks at a political rally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec 7, 2015. Photo: AP

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Monday (Dec 7) rally by staunch critics of Mr Najib Razak appears to have had little effect on UMNO leaders and divisional delegates, who last night rallied around the embattled president and prime minister, helping to ensure a trouble-free party annual general assembly for him this week.

The party’s top leaders also hit out at Mr Najib’s estranged deputy Muhyiddin Yassin for his speech at the rally, with one Supreme Council member saying he “doubted” the latter’s future in UMNO.

UMNO leaders and delegates who attended a late night pre-council briefing with Mr Najib yesterday said the audience applauded the president when he responded directly to issues brought up at Mr Muhyiddin’s gathering in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.

Though the event highlighted a growing but still small rebellion in the party, these voices are unlikely to be heard at the assembly.

The pre-council briefing ahead of UMNO’s annual general assembly is traditionally a platform where the president delivers any last-minute messages to the divisional delegates, who are essentially its middle management.

With the support shown to Mr Najib from these delegates, the general assembly which runs until Saturday is expected to be smooth sailing for him, even as he faces calls to resign from critics within the party and at the grassroots level.

Mr Muhyiddin was not present at the pre-council meeting last night.

Supreme Council member Reezal Merican Naina Merican said Mr Najib responded to issues, including the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy and questions surrounding the RM2.6 billion (S$826 million) donation from a Middle-Eastern individual.

But top most in the minds of delegates was Mr Muhyiddin’s no-show at the pre-council briefing and the latter’s fate in the party after his speech in Kampung Baru. Supreme Council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said Mr Najib felt he was in a difficult position when it came to Mr Muhyiddin, who was sacked as deputy prime minister in July in a Cabinet reshuffle.

“(Najib) trusted (Muhyiddin) and (the latter) enjoyed a special privilege with him as deputy. Whatever problems should be discussed behind closed doors,” said Mr Tajuddin.

Many UMNO members, he said, were upset with the Kampung Baru gathering.

“The event can be exploited by our enemies. We should not give ammunition for our enemies to use against us,” said Mr Tajuddin.

At the Kampung Baru gathering, Mr Muhyiddin repeated his criticism of 1MBD and the RM2.6 billion donation. He urged Najib to take a rest while the probes into these two were completed.

Another Supreme Council member Abdul Rahman Dahlan said Mr Najib appeared to be upset with Mr Muhyiddin’s actions.

“He said the deputy president should assist the president... As a Supreme Council member, I am upset over the rally,” said Mr Rahman, also urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister.

Another Supreme Council member Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said he has doubts over Mr Muhyiddin’s future in UMNO.

“We may have differences of opinion but you should not voice them out in the open. What he did, I think, will put a nail in the coffin.

“Generally, the delegates feel negative about the gathering and even with the actions of Dr Mahathir (Mohamad who turned up in Kampung Baru),” said Mr Raja Nong Chik.

Overall, Mr Rahman said those at the pre-council briefing backed the president’s explanations, and that there was “applause but no boos”.

“I am happy as there were no boos, there was strong support from the delegates and I believe this will be a smooth assembly.”

Mr Rahman said Mr Najib also refuted the latest claims from his biggest critic, UMNO’s fourth president Dr Mahathir.

At the Kampung Baru gathering, Dr Mahathir had said Malaysians would be beggars under Mr Najib’s rule.

“These are allegations not based on fact. So the president made comparisons of the economic achievements during his time and the situation during Tun Mahathir’s time,” Mr Rahman said.

Mr Raja Nong Chik said Mr Najib also told the audience he has spent all of the RM2.6 billion on the party.

The audience appeared to accept Mr Najib’s explanation and his pledge that he did not take any of the money for personal use, the former minister said.

“Generally, I think the president has 99% of support within the party. But there will be people who disagree with him, but the majority is with the president.” THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

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