NUR JAZLAN: HARPING ON DR M’S NEAR LOSS IN 1987 IS BAD FOR UMNO

(Malay Mail Online) – Umno President and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak did no favours for his own party by reminding the public of the fractious party polls of 1987 when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad faced an internal rebellion, a senior Umno leader said.

Umno Pulai division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said Najib’s efforts would be better spent dealing with all the questions raised by his predecessor before Malaysians start to doubt the current prime minister’s leadership.

“The act of digging up the past and opening old wounds will only affect Umno’s (image),” Nur Jazlan as saying by Malay daily Sinar Harian.

“Instead, Najib should answer each questioned raised by Dr Mahathir because the former prime minister’s persistence will create doubt and question marks among some people,” the three-term Pulai MP added.

Last week, Najib said there is no reason for him to step down as demanded by Dr Mahathir, arguing that the latter had insisted on staying on as prime minister and Umno president despite a split in the party which lead to its eventual deregistration.

Dr Mahathir has in recent months openly called for Najib to step down over the current prime minister’s handling of debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and several other policies and controversies.

Nur Jazlan, who is also the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman, said Umno’s performance has been on a steady decline since the 12th General Election, making it necessary for them to focus on the rakyat and not just the party’s own image.

He added that he hopes the PAC’s probe into 1MDB will help put to rest some of the questions raised by Dr Mahathir.

“Dr Mahathir’s actions have caused leaders to focus more on defending themselves and not on running the country.

“At the end of the day, Umno’s image as the best government will also be affected because the leaders have lost focus and direction,” he said.