I will stay on the job, Najib says

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak speaks during the opening ceremony of Umno Malacca, Bandar Hilir, Malacca. The PM says he will not step down as 3 million members are with him. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, August 1, 2015.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today reiterated that he will not step down even if there are many demanding his resignation over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

Those who want him to resign are much fewer than the three million Umno members who voted him as party president, he said when launching the Kota Melaka Umno division delegates' meeting this afternoon.

"With one voice telling me to step down, I will not. Because I know there are three million members with me," he said, repeating the remarks he made during his visit to Sarawak last month. 

"I was elected through a democratic process."

In response to his speech, all 500 delegates at the Kota Melaka meeting stood up and shouted 'Hidup Najib' (long live Najib).

A group of activists calling themselves 'Demi Malaysia' organised the #TangkapNajib demonstration in Kuala Lumpur earlier today, demanding for the arrest of the PM for allegedly being involved in corruption and abuse of power.

"I am not arrogant but I have been entrusted by the party to continue leading," said Najib.

"Don't obstruct me because I want to do my best. I am introducing capital economy, the people's economy," he said.

"There are people who say I am not smart because I removed the quota for contesting the party presidency," he said, referring to the change in the Umno election system that allowed the members the democratic space to choose their president.

The party constitution previously required those who wanted to contest the presidency to have the nomination from 63 Umno divisions.

"You think it was easy to get it? It was tough. If I had kept the old constitution, I can be president of the party for 23 years. I can...because who would challenge me?

"But I want Umno to be more open. So I am letting 160,000 Umno members take their pick," he said.

- TMI