Najib shouldn’t have supported Mahathir during 1987 Umno crisis – Ku Li

Tengku Razaleigh (Left) said PM Najib made a wrong choice on supporting former Premier Mahathir during 1987 Umno crisis.

Prime Minister Najib Razak made a mistake when he supported former Premier Mahathir Mohamad back in 1987, said former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

He was commenting on the Umno crisis that year in which Umno splinter, Semangat 46 which Tengku Razaleigh headed, was formed in an effort to oust Mahathir who was prime minister at the time.

In his speech at the Umno General Assembly today, Najib touched on the 1987 incident, saying that, in the spirit of following the party leader, he had offended Tengku Razaleigh by choosing to support Mahathir.

Tengku Razaleigh today clarified that he wasn’t offended.

“I wasn’t offended. This is democracy. I just feel that he made the wrong choice (at the time),” NST Online reported as he saying at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

Commenting on Najib’s speech, Tengku Razaleigh described it as a “good speech”, adding that Najib had shown that he could accept criticism wisely.

“He still has a big heart in spite of all the criticisms.

“He was very cool and accepted it.. But of course he is also a human being and he has a responsibility.

“I suppose a man in that position will have to expect a lot of criticism and a lot of curses, shall I say. But it is part of democratic rights.”

Meanwhile, when asked on PAS’ Private Member’s Bill which was also mentioned by Najib in his speech, Tengku Razaleigh said the issue should not be seen as a controversial one since Malaysia was a country which observed syariah rules.

The Gua Musang MP said, the reason behind the confusion on the bill was because Pas had previously talked about hudud, thus giving the impression to the public that hudud will be implemented.

“I for one, would like to see that whatever law that’s brought in, should be consistent with the constitution that we uphold.

“As the premier said, we have taken note to uphold the constitution, and now we have a bill which is not in consonant with the federal constitution, so which do we support? So it’s the constitution.

“So as far as I’m concerned, we are going to wait for the explanation, so that it will smoother and soothe the feelings of everybody,” Tengku Razaleigh added.