Snubbing Mahathir, Najib says 'election drums have sounded'

The election drums have sounded,” said prime minister and UMNO president Najib Razak during a party gathering yesterday, signifying that snap polls were imminent in the aftermath of a budget widely described as an 'election budget'.

At the Federal Territory BN information session held at Putra World Trade Centre, Najib told supporters to ensure they were prepared, as the 13th general election was "very near".

Early polls would also indicate a snub on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who urged Najib to delay the polls until next year fearing factionalism and internal sabotage, putting an end any hopes of regaining support for BN.

"I still see factions in the party as some members are loyal only to individual leaders and not to the party. When their preferred candidate is not chosen they will sabotage the other candidate," Mahathir reportedly said.

One observer said Najib's latest announcement showed he was prepared to ignore the former strongman's warning.

Najib however appeared to be concerned over the likelihood of sabotage, recalling an incident in which a branch secretary of UMNO betrayed in a by-election because he was not chosen as candidate.

“A three-term BN representative in Sarawak had absconded to London because he was upset that he was not selected as a candidate,” related Najib to his audience.

- Harakahdaily