Najib, Ku Li meet Zahid ahead of Umno AGM

 

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, two leaders who are known to be more receptive towards PKR, met with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ahead of the party's annual general assembly (AGM) this weekend.

Najib and Razaleigh are, respectively, the advisory board chairpersons for BN and Umno.

"Umno must be firm and implement the will of the grassroots without any compromises," Najib said as he shared the contents of the meeting.

Forces aligned to Zahid had previously pushed the narrative that a majority of Umno divisions want to sever ties with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the next general election.

Najib's advice suggests Zahid's faction may use the AGM to reaffirm that position amid resistance from the pro-PN faction, which includes leaders such as Umno's Ketereh MP Annuar Musa.

While there is a groundswell of discontent towards Bersatu within Umno, the issue of cooperation with PKR is a separate issue and has not been debated much in Umno.

Najib had previously floated the idea that cooperation with PKR could be among the choices for Umno although he denied championing the option.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah

Meanwhile, Razaleigh, widely known as Ku Li, has openly suggested that an Umno-Harapan pact could win in the next general election.

Zahid has publicly dismissed talks with PKR but was coy about representatives engaging the opposition party.

Taking to Facebook, Najib said they also discussed with Zahid about using the Umno AGM as a means to strengthen the party and foster solidarity among leaders at various levels.

"The best way is to update the formula of how Umno should move forward in the face of challenges," he said.

There is also the issue of Umno's cooperation with PAS under Muafakat Nasional, which has become uncertain as the Islamist party drifts towards Bersatu.

PAS has made it clear it intends to contest the next general election with Bersatu as an ally under PN.

Najib said Umno should consider all scenarios and take the decision based on what party grassroots say.

The Pekan MP said he highlighted various economic issues under the current PN government, including IBM's announcement it will close its global delivery centre in Cyberjaya by May 31.

"It is evident on the state of the economy and its overall impact," he said.

He said the debt to gross domestic product (GDP) for last year of 62.2 percent had overshot the ceiling of 60 percent.

"But the government is telling us the ratio of 62.2 percent does not violate the 60 percent ceiling," Najib added.

The government has redefined the debt to GDP ratio compared to past years to justify the numbers by excluding the calculation of certain short-term borrowings or conventional Treasury bills. - Mkini