Umno regressing under Najib’s leadership, says Khairuddin

Too much power has been centralised in the hands of Najib Razak, his critic says.

PETALING JAYA: The leadership of Umno president Najib Razak has resulted in the party’s regression as power has been centralised in his hands, alleged Umno dissident and Najib critic Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

In his Facebook posting Thursday morning, Khairuddin also criticised Najib for barring the party’s deputy president and a vice- president from speaking at the ongoing Umno general assembly.

“The president should not hog the floor alone! Why is he the only one allowed to speak?! …They (deputy and vice president) too have the right to speak!” he said.

Khairuddin described the party’s decisions this year as “mad” and not befitting a party which has been around for so long.

“This is a mad stance, one taken by a party which has been around for more than 69 years! They should be more mature and open!

“Unfortunately Najib is taking the party backwards, and it is now akin to an exclusive, autocratic party just for the president. This is utter madness!” he exclaimed.

He blamed the party’s current predicament partly on its members. “Umno is deteriorating due to its supreme council members, who are idiotic sycophantic yes men who have no courage to speak up for party interests,” added Khairuddin.

He also took aim at Umno Youth chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, who he said, has been acting in a “flip-flop” manner by pleading for party deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and vice president Shafei Apdal to stay loyal to Najib.

“’Greenhorn’ Khairy is all fire and brimstone in his speeches, but dares not criticise the moronic president…KJ is all talk, but no action!”, Khairuddin said.

Warning against a possible backlash, he urged that Najib be voted out as party president. “Vote Najib out in accordance with the party constitution, so that Umno may stay relevant to the Malays and all the races in the country!”