Khairy: Plot against Najib a PAS ploy

Khairy Jamaluddin dimisses the existence of such a plot in Umno and accuses PAS of cooking up the issue to divert attention.

PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has dismissed speculation of a move within the party to oust Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak before the next polls.

Instead, he accused PAS of cooking up this issue to divert attention from its internal problems

“It’s utter rubbish. We fully support Najib,” he told FMT.

This morning, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali claimed that there was a move by certain top guns in Umno to topple Najib before the general election.

Yesterday, FMT reported that Penawar, an organisation comprising former Umno MPs, also wanted the prime minister to relinquish his post.

According to Khairy, PAS was embroiled in a crisis as some leaders in the party had lost faith in the leadership of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“That is why some in PAS are talking about having Gua Musang MP (Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah) as the new opposition leader,” he said.

Quizzed on Penawar’s stand, Khairy said he had not heard about the organisation wanting Najib to step down.

“But as far as current Barisan Nasional leaders are concerned, we are fully behind Najib,” he added.

‘Rumours spread by outsiders’

Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo also dismissed the speculation, stressing that all in Umno supported the party president.

He added that it was normal for certain quarters to spread such rumours when the general election was around the corner.

“It’s outsiders who are creating this. They just want to create issues as there is a possibility that the general election may be called soon.

“As far as I know, Najib is doing a good job and everyone supports him,” he said when contacted.

When contacted, Higher Education Minister and Pasir Gudang MP Khaled Nordin also claimed to be in the dark over the existence of such a plot.