I have Pahang Sultan’s support, says Najib amid calls to resign as PM

Datuk Seri Najib Razak says he has support of the Sultan of Pahang to continue leading the country. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 23, 2015.Datuk Seri Najib Razak ‎today said he had support of the Sultan of Pahang to continue as prime minister, even as pressure mounts against him to step down.

He said Sultan Ahmad Shah's support as well as that of the people of his home state, Pahang, had strengthened his resolve to continue leading the country, despite attempts to "poison" his roots in his home ground.

"Some people are trying to threaten us. Some want to poison our roots, so we must make sure our tree continues to stand strong.

"Alhamdulillah, everyone supports us. Tuanku Sultan Ahmad Shah has also stated his stand from the beginning.

"He said Pahang supports (me), from the sultan to the ordinary citizen," Najib told a crowd at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Kuantan, before departing for Kuala Lumpur.

Umno grassroots leaders had managed to mobilise some 12,000 youths, all dressed in black, for Najib's send-off at the airbase today.

The prime minister said he was impressed by the numbers, and told the enthusiastic crowd that 40,000 supporters had gathered to see him in Tawau last week, while in Johor, another 15,000 people showed up in solidarity.

"I know numbers aren't everything, but I look at your faces and I can see you are sincere. When we believe in our leaders, our party remains strong.

"If we fight among one another, what will happen? God will take away our powers from us," said Najib.

He said no problem could not be solved, and even took a swipe at his biggest critic, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed.

"There was plenty of problems even in the past, during Dr Mahathir's time, I was his soldier (panglima),‎ I defended him.

"Now, you will be my soldiers and defend me!" said Najib, to roars of approval from the crowd.

He said there was no going back and that he would continue to move forward, with the support of the people.

After visits to Tawau and Johor, Najib today was in Perak for an 11th hour visit organised by state Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir for a meet the people event, before shuttling to Pekan.

Najib has been facing criticism, including calls to resign, over his leadership and administration, with the most strident critic being Dr Mahathir.

- TMI