Najib: Don't betray party struggle for personal agendas

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today reminded all Umno leaders and members not to betray the party struggle for personal agendas to the point of selling one's own dignity.

He said political struggle based on morals and principles must be defended to face various challenges and issues in the country.

"In politics we must have moral principles... in whatever we do, we must uphold the (federal) constitution; if not, the country will descend into chaos.

"If there is chaos, all that we have fought for will be destroyed... what will we leave to our children and grandchildren?" he said when opening the annual assembly of the Association of Former Staff of the Comunity Development Department (PBAKM) and launching Kelab Waris PBAKM in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present were Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and PBAKM president Melati Ali.

Najib also slammed leaders who changed their stand and struggle.

"Some (of these leaders) spoke differently before... before, (they) said must support the party, and (they) advised that if retired, not to forget the party. They said when we are the leaders, others supported us, when we stop becoming leaders we must support the party.

"Where is this person sitting now... he is not sitting with Umno anymore, he is not sitting with those loyal to the struggle.

"He is sitting with people who he had once labelled as racists, chauvinists, communists, anti-Islam and anti-Malay. What do we want to say about him? We defended him for 22 years. People said he was cruel, called him 'maha firaun' (Grand Pharaoh)... not I said, they said. I am relating what they said (about him).

"Now he sits on the same stage (with them)... where's one's dignity? If we don't have anything, at least we have our dignity," said the prime minister while stressing that the people are no longer influenced by attempts to topple the government without going through general elections.

Najib said the people would also not allow outsiders to determine thecountry's leadership but instead support the government's efforts to develop the nation.

Stay focused

"(As such), don't entertain these people because we have a lot of work to do and agendas for the people and country. We must persevere, stay focused as government leaders, we must ensure Malaysia continues to succeed under the leadership of the Barisan Nasional and Umno," he said.

The BN chairperson and Umno president also reminded about the responsibility of a leader to bequeath a country that is stronger to the people.

"If there are mistakes, we rectify these by ourselves, do not destroy the country, do not destroy the party we love. If the party falls, there is no more struggle. Thay is why we must love the party, love the nation," he added.

Earlier, more than 5,000 PBAKM members led by Melati had pledged allegiance to Najib's leadership.

– Bernama