Najib downplays 1MDB crisis, says people’s basic needs more important

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak speaks during the opening ceremony of Umno Malacca, Bandar Hilir, Melaka. Foof, shelter and education are more pressing concerns for the people than 1MDB, says the PM. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, August 1, 2015.

The people's needs are much more important than alleged scandals involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the prime minister said today as he met the Umno grassroots in Malacca.

Food, shelter and education were more important priorities for the people, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said, and 1MDB was not the most important thing.

"What do the people want? Food on the table, shelter, a halal living, schools and education for their children. These are what we should be focusing on.

"The 1MDB issue is not the most important thing. As members of the party, I want us all to focus on our main duties," he said when launching the Kota Melaka Umno division delegates' meeting this afternoon.

"What is our focus? Our focus is to take care of the people and do what they expect of us. Insha'allah Umno and Barisan Nasional can win," he said.

Najib had earlier spoken about 1MDB to Umno members in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, when he launched the party's Paroi division meeting this morning. He said then that taxpayers' money was not used in 1MDB, which functioned as a business entity and took loans from third parties.

The Umno president said that he wanted the party to remain strong, calling it his responsibility to ensure that the lynchpin party of the ruling Barisan Nasional continued to lead.

"Every person is given the responsibility of leadership in Islam. As the leader, my responsibility is even greater," he said.

Najib said he had been in politics for 38 years now, and had faced many allegations.

The prime minister, who is being dogged by allegations of scandal involving 1MDB, also sought to remind the party's leadership to stick together in difficult times.

"Don't show support only when things are going well, but flee the ship when trouble comes. This is what being loyal in politics means."

He also referred to the relationship between Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and his predecessor Datuk Seri Ali Rustam, adding that the older politician had never asked his successor to step down.

"Beautiful. This is the spirit of family.

"Don't hold differences of opinion to the extent that it will kill Umno. Umno is our one and only hope. I cannot envision Malaysia without Umno," Najib said.

Najib has been faced by criticism over 1MDB from within his party, in particular Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and vice president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

He ejected both of them from the cabinet in a reshuffle on Tuesday, sacking Muhyiddin as deputy prime minister.

Both men, who retain their party positions, had openly questioned Najib on his handling of debt-ridden 1MDB.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also openly called for Najib to resign for failing to give clear answers to 1MDB's troubles, as well as over other government policies.

- TMI