Najib: I'm a gentleman, come and meet me

UMNO AGM Umno president Najib Abdul Razak’s policy speech at the party’s annual general meeting today was peppered with defensive remarks.

Early on in his speech, Najib proclaimed himself as a “gentleman” who welcomes anyone to sit down and discuss matters with him.

“I am a gentleman; if any problem arises, come and meet me and we can discuss. Let’s solve them through proper channels,” Najib told the delegates at PWTC.

He did not state names, but it is believed that this is a masked reprimand of his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been criticised for airing his grievances against Najib in public.

Najib today also stressed that he could not simply abandon the party’s cause without first finding solutions to the various problems plaguing the party.

“The party needs to be as it was before. If I don’t do that, I would only be a coward,” he said.

'Never betrayed Umno'

Meanwhile, Najib, in proclaiming himself as a “non-confrontational” person, pointed out how he has never toppled anyone and neither has he ever betrayed Umno.

Najib reminded how he had, in the crisis plaguing the party in 1987, chose to remain loyal to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I defended his position then as Umno president and at the same time maintained him as prime minister,” he said.

Aside from taking a swipe at his number one critic today, Najib also took another hit at Muhyiddin, citing the party’s constitution in how the role of the deputy president is to assist the president.

The party’s vice-presidents, too, are expected to assist the president in carrying out his duties, he said.

“Umno members on the other hand, can voice their views to the party, but it must be through the right channels,” Najib said, citing the party constitution.

“Therefore, by holding on to the meaning of the party constitution, Umno can move within a strong pact.

“That’s the secret and formula to how a political party like us can remain as successful until today, and hopefully forever,” he said.-Mkini