Najib: Don’t Bring Down Party Presidency
In the name of unity: Najib officiating the
opening ceremony of the Taiping, Bukit Gantang, Bagan Serai and Parit Buntar
Umno delegates meeting. — Bernama
TAIPING: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
has reminded party members not to bring down the office of the Umno president.
The Umno president said it was normal to have misunderstandings and
difference of opinion, but that did not mean they must be used to betray and
bring down the presidency.
Najib said even married couples have differing views - sometimes spouses
put on a sour face, and at times the husband has to sleep on a sofa, but in the
end, they get back together.
He said there must be a “red line” that should not be crossed to ensure
that the presidency is not betrayed, and that the party remained relevant in
its struggle.
“There are proper channels that can be used to
settle differences and views within the party, and in accordance with the
constitution, and Malay culture.
“There is a need to have moral principles; we need
to take care of the party and the institution of the presidency and not of
‘Najib’.
“You all can love me as the party president but at
some point someone will replace me, so if the institution is brought down,
the party will be weakened,” he said at the opening of
the Taiping, Bukit Gantang, Bagan Serai and Parit Buntar Umno delegates meeting
here yesterday
Najib who is also Prime Minister took a swipe at
those who betrayed the party, saying these people were now sitting at the same
table as those who they used to call anti-Malay and anti-Islam.
“There is no political morality in them. We on the
other hand must ensure that the party is upheld at all times, not undermined or
betrayed so that we are able continue with the struggle of the party,” he
added.
Najib also announced that Datuk Saarani Mohamad, Perak Umno secretary
and Lenggong Umno division chief, would take over as Perak Umno deputy liaison
chief.
The position was vacated by Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, the Tambun
MP, when
he quit his Cabinet and Umno posts in June.
Later when opening the Lumut Umno division meeting, Najib said party
members must remain loyal for the rest of their lives.
He said members should not choose to remain loyal only when they are
holding powerful positions in the country’s administration or when their wishes
were fulfilled.
“There are those who have decided to leave the
party primarily because they could not get what they want,” he said referring
former premier Tun Dr Mahatl Mohamad who had announced t setting up of a new
party.
He said it was not up to Mahathir to determine his position, “I am the one who is responsible towards each and
everyone of you. So, it is only the three million members of Umno who are fit
to decide whether I should stay or leave,” he said.
Adapted from The Star/Monday, 8 August 2016
'I am answerable only to the people - not to any one individual', says Malaysian PM Najib
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has come under attack from Dr Mahathir Mohamad of late, went on television last night to confront the entire range of charges that have been hurled at him - from his stance on the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to his role in the death of a Mongolian interpreter in 2006.
Adapted from The Star/Monday, 8 August 2016
'I am answerable only to the people - not to any one individual', says Malaysian PM Najib
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has come under attack from Dr Mahathir Mohamad of late, went on television last night to confront the entire range of charges that have been hurled at him - from his stance on the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to his role in the death of a Mongolian interpreter in 2006.
And to the suggestion from former
prime minister Mahathir that the ruling party would lose the elections under
him, a feisty Datuk Seri Najib said: "The only way Barisan Nasional can
lose the 14th general election is if there is internal sabotage... I am
confident that the party will not tolerate any acts of betrayal."
In an hour-long, nationally televised interview, Mr Najib not
only made it plain that he would not give in to Dr Mahathir's insistence that
he step down, but also addressed every single allegation recently levelled at
him.
Addressing rumours swirling around
the debt-laden 1MDB, Mr Najib, who is chairman of its advisory board, reminded
the people that the company has more assets than liabilities and has enough
money to pay off all its debts.
Referring to recent allegations that
parties close to him had used the state investment company as a front to divert
public funds, he said: "I will not condone any abuse of power in 1MDB such
as the siphoning of money."
He accused those who continued to
repeat the same old allegations about 1MDB as being "irresponsible and
putting politics before the interests of the nation".
Turning to the murder of Mongolian
interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu, who some say was killed to silence her over
alleged kickbacks in a 2002 submarine purchase deal, Mr Najib reiterated that
there is no evidence linking him to the case. "No evidence exists at all
that I ever knew Altantuya... no pictures, writings, witnesses - there is
nothing."
Last week, Dr Mahathir, in a blog post, called for a new probe into the case. Two former police commandos who used to be Mr Najib's bodyguards have been convicted of her murder.
Last week, Dr Mahathir, in a blog post, called for a new probe into the case. Two former police commandos who used to be Mr Najib's bodyguards have been convicted of her murder.
He wants me to Obey Him
The Prime Minister said the attacks from
Dr Mahathir were expected as he knew the former premier was
"obsessed" with power and still wanted a hand in making decisions on
national policies and plans.
Sunday, August 7, 2016
JAKARTA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Dr
Mahathir's attack on the current leadership stemmed from his refusal to be a
Prime Minister who takes "instructions" from the former Prime
Minister.
The Prime Minister said the attacks
from Dr Mahathir were expected as he knew the former premier was
"obsessed" with power and still wanted a hand in making decisions on
national policies and plans.
"Dr Mahathir is obsessed over
control and I have known him for a long time and I know I am left with two
choices.
To be a Prime Minister who refers to
him for 'advice' or act according to my leadership style.
"I refer it as advice but they
are probably instructions on government administration to please him," he
said in an exclusive interview with Metro TV which was aired here Friday night.
Najib said Dr Mahathir's attack on
his leadership began when he did not want to be a Prime Minister who merely
followed instructions but was confident of his own leadership, able to make
decisions according to the mandate of the people and party.
"For that reason I became a PM
responsible to the people and deciding what is best for the nation.
But I am aware Dr Mahathir was not
happy with me, because history has seen how he had rejected and sacked several
leaders during his premiership.
The Prime Minister admitted that
though Mahathir was his mentor, he had used his own discretion in running the
country.
He said Dr Mahathir then resorted to
various means to topple him including making the two by-elections, namely at
Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar, as referendums to topple his leadership.
He said, if the two by-elections were
to be called referendums it meant the people's support for the current
leadership had increased due to Barisan Nasional's victory in both
by-elections.
Najib said those who were
dissatisfied with his leadership, including the opposition parties, later
politicised the 1MDB issue and the company's business problems became a
political issue.
He said the 1MDB issue was a business
problem and the Government had taken several measures to address its weaknesses
including replacing the chief executive and conducting an internal
investigation through the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
"The motive (to turn the 1MDB
business issue into a political issue) was obvious. There are people who are
not pleased with my leadership so they try to unseat me because other issues
were of no concern," he said.
Najib said the US Department of
Justice (DOJ) in its statement had clearly mentioned the names of individuals
who were subjected to civil action but they were not criminal charges and did
not involve the Malaysian Government.
"We were the first country to
investigate the 1MDB issue involving the police, MACC, and the PAC and we will
take action to improve on all 1MDB weaknesses.
"It is the people who will
determine what they want, and I am confident they will make the right choice
when the time comes," he added.
‘Solves squabbles in Terengganu’
Zahid: Resolve Internal Issues And Win Back Selangor
BERA: Umno leaders at all levels have been told to resolve internal problems to ensure the party continues to govern the country in future.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they needed to take a lesson from the country as well as world history that witnessed many powers such as Russia, the Netherlands, France and the Melaka Malay Sultanate Empire fell due to internal woes.
He said Barisan Nasional had even lost power in Perak, Terengganu and Kelantan due to internal unrest as a result of dissatisfaction with the leadership.
“Enough. Resolve internal problems. Do not entertain feelings of anger and disappointment among us.
“We do not want it to happen again in Umno and Barisan because the price is too costly. Leaders have
their weakness because they are not infallible, so we give and take,” he said when opening the Bera Umno division meeting yesterday.
Dr Ahmad Zahid also advised party leaders not to take the political power that the party currently held for granted.
He said they must always remember that unless they work hard, the party might lose its power as what happened in Kelantan.
“The leaders must come down see and check what is happening at the grassroots level. We must continue to instil confidence in the people, particularly the youths,” he added.
Opening the Kuala Selangor Umno division meeting later, Dr Ahmad Zahid also called on members in Selangor to close ranks take Selangor back from Pakatan Harapan.
Adapted from The Star/Monday, 8 August 2016
CRISIS: Internal strife will weaken BN's ability to govern, says Zahid
By Nik Imran Abdullah Bera
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Terengganu leadership to solve its squabbles to prevent Barisan Na- sional from losing the state in the next general election.
He said leaders in Terengganu should bear in mind that BN held only a one-seat majority in the state legislative assembly.
“Solve your problem. Even if you need to pick a fight, wait until after the election. There is only a one-seat advantage (for BN in Terengganu), but you still want to fight,” he said when opening the Bera Umno division delegates’ meeting here yesterday.
Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman has come under fire from some BN assemblymen aligned with his predecessor, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said. It is understood that the dis- +senters will table a motion of no confidence against Razif in the state assembly today.
Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, said internal bickering would weaken BN’s ability to govern
“Opposition parties are waiting to seize power from us if the problem persists.”
He said complacency in Umno could undermine the party’s ability to continue governing the country.
He said party members who had slipped into complacency were a major problem for Umno.
“They feel that the power the party has will last forever ” He said Umno members would have to pay a heavy price if the party lost its political power.
“We should be leading the country at least until the country celebrates its 100th year of independence.”
Zahid said Umno members should learn from the disintegration of western and colonial powers in the past as they, too, suffered from domestic problems.
He said these were lessons to be learnt by Umno members from the break-up of the Soviet Union and British Empire.
“These empires fell not only because their colonies demanded independence, but also because of internal problems.
“Is there a guarantee that we (Umno) can still lead the country in the future?”
In Kuala Selangor, Zahid, likening Umno members to fireflies which the district is famous for, urged them to come together and be a bigger force.
He said Kuala Selangor Umno members should not be solo fireflies, but must work together to wrest back Selangor.
“If there is only one firefly, the light can be seen only from a short distance. But when there are hundreds, thousands or millions of fireflies together, the light can have a powerful impact.
“Kuala Selangor Umno and other divisions must come together so that we can win Selangor back,” he said at the Kuala Selangor Umno division delegates’ meeting yesterday.
Zahid advised those present not to be carried away with the landslide 9,191-vote majority win in the Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election.
He said God had given BN victory, but it should not be taken for granted, as defending the success in Sungai Besar would be harder.
BN, Zahid said, emerged victorious in Sungai Besar despite the presence of a “91-year-old personality” during the by-election campaign period.
He did not name the person, but former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is 91, was seen on the campaign trail in Sungai Besar.
“That person who hates us came to Sungai Besar repeatedly, not to help us, but to destroy us by telling the people not to vote for Umno and BN.
“We once respected the person as a statesman, but he is ungrateful to Umno. He is 91. That was why our win was 9,191, too.”
Kuala Terengganu - In view of the current political turmoil in Terengganu, Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman was moved to answer all related issues.“We once respected the person as a statesman, but he is ungrateful to Umno. He is 91. That was why our win was 9,191, too.”
In a long press statement issued on Wednesday, Ahmad Razif said that the mother of all the problems were caused due to Barisan Nasional's loss of seats from 24 seats in the 12th general election to only 17 in the 13th general election.
"This is the reality that everyone needs to swallow and digest. This is the uncertainty and instability which has engulfed the state government.
"We are faced by numerous problems. We have people from in and out the party who are condemning us. We are being threatened, forced and influenced," he said.
Ahmad Razif added that he was no superman or possessed a magical lamp which can do miracles in a blink of an eye.
"And to my colleagues in the party who are not satisfied with me and my leadership, I understand and respect your stance but as a political person like you, too, I have the right to defend myself and to fight for what is right.
Ahmad Razif said the fact is that the Barisan government in Terengganu is struggling to shoulder the burden of what has been left by the former Mentri Besar.
"All of a sudden the former mentri besar behaves like he is trying to "rescue" the party. Instead of creating havoc it is best that he joins in and help to stabilise Umno in the state and make preparations for the 14th general election," he said.
With regards to the withdrawal of state titles, Ahmad Razif said it should not be an issue as it was the ultimate right of the Sultan.
He said, choosing a mentri besar is also the ultimate right of the Sultan in the state and the party president. The position of the mentri besar is not something that anyone can beg or ask for.
"Therefore for those who are against it or are trying their best to oust the mentri besar are those who have no respect for the Royal Institution and the party president.
DoJ Complaint a Political Ploy to Topple PM
"This is the reality that everyone needs to swallow and digest. This is the uncertainty and instability which has engulfed the state government.
"We are faced by numerous problems. We have people from in and out the party who are condemning us. We are being threatened, forced and influenced," he said.
Ahmad Razif added that he was no superman or possessed a magical lamp which can do miracles in a blink of an eye.
"And to my colleagues in the party who are not satisfied with me and my leadership, I understand and respect your stance but as a political person like you, too, I have the right to defend myself and to fight for what is right.
Ahmad Razif said the fact is that the Barisan government in Terengganu is struggling to shoulder the burden of what has been left by the former Mentri Besar.
"All of a sudden the former mentri besar behaves like he is trying to "rescue" the party. Instead of creating havoc it is best that he joins in and help to stabilise Umno in the state and make preparations for the 14th general election," he said.
With regards to the withdrawal of state titles, Ahmad Razif said it should not be an issue as it was the ultimate right of the Sultan.
He said, choosing a mentri besar is also the ultimate right of the Sultan in the state and the party president. The position of the mentri besar is not something that anyone can beg or ask for.
"Therefore for those who are against it or are trying their best to oust the mentri besar are those who have no respect for the Royal Institution and the party president.
Read more…
The Star Online-Aug 6, 2016
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Kau tipu orang Iraq, kau
bunuh orang Iraq,sekarang kau nak bunuh pula
Melayu di Malaysia.
(You (the US) cheated the Iraqis and killed them. Now you want to kill the Malays in Malaysia)
KUALA LUMPUR: Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron has
claimed that the United States Department of Justice's (DOJ) civil complaint on
the case involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is part of a political ploy
to topple a democratically-elected prime minister. He also questioned the
veracity of the allegations contained in the complaint, pointing out that the
DOJ had never contacted 1MDB for its side of the story, He said the US
government’s motives were questionable, citing the US-led invasion of Iraq in
2003 on grounds that then Iraqi president Saddam Hussein had possessed weapons
of mass destruction. “We want to tell the Americans that this is Southeast
Asia... this is Malaysia. Our country is our responsibility. What credibility
does the DOJ have (in meddling in our affairs)?” he said when opening the
Ampang Umno division meeting here today. Idris, who is also an Umno supreme
council member, said the US’ unilateral decision to invade Iraq was unjustified
as no weapons of mass destruction were ever found. “You cheated the Iraqis, you
killed the Iraqis, and now you want to kill the Malays in Malaysia. “This is
nothing more than a political ploy to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Razak,” The DOJ last month moved to seize more than US$1 billion (RM4.04
billion) in assets, including luxury real estate and a jet allegedly bought
with money pilfered from 1MDB. Najib had said the action taken by the DOJ did
not involve him, the government or 1MDB directly. He had said issues concerning
1MDB had been politicised by “certain enemies”.
Adapted from NST/Monday, 8 August 2016
Adapted from NST/Monday, 8 August 2016
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