DON'T SUPPORT A CROOKED LEADER: Mukhriz carries flag for anti-Najib dad, warns Umno against 'blind loyalty'

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir says the truth is needed in the current crisis that Umno is facing.

At a breaking of fast event at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur last night, Mukhriz said Umno members have been taught to be loyal to their leaders, even though problems might arise.

A recording of the speech was uploaded by a freelance photographer known as minaq jinggo.

Mukhriz also cited Islamic scholar al-Ghazali, who said that it was better to have a cruel leader than no leader at all.

“I won’t think twice about being loyal to our leaders.

“But questions that have been raised must be answered, so that we know exactly what it is that we are supporting," he said.

Mukhriz added that although one must be loyal to his or her leader, one must not do so blindly.

His remarks came as Umno president Najib Abdul Razak is further embroiled in the 1MDB crisis, with the latest report of The Wall Street Journal that US$700 million had been transferred from 1MDB into the prime minister’s personal bank accounts.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place

Meanwhile, Mukhriz seemed to echo the statements made by Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin (photo) and Umno vice president Shafie Apdal who had raised concerns on the allegations made by The Wall Street Journal.

“I see statements issued by our leaders urging so that the current crisis is solved immediately.

“There are many ways (to do so), such as suing those who have made the allegations,” he said.

Mukhriz, earlier in his speech, also lamented how he was “stuck between a rock and a hard place”.

“I’m stuck between two big figures in the country, one is my leader, another is my father (Mahathir Mohamad).

“So you can imagine how I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place,” he said.

Although he is of the belief that it was better to keep mum, Mukhriz also has his own stand and always thought about the effects of certain issues on the party, the Malays, and the country.

“Patience has its limits, too […] News after news have come out. But I still hope and pray that whatever crisis we are facing will, InsyaAllah (God willing), be solved,” he said. - Mkini