He said Abdul Taib's party will continue to be the pillar of the BN in Sarawak, and it is only fair to discuss with them first before any decision is made on the state's leadership.
"Whatever decision that will be made will be based on the spirit of loyalty and friendship," he said in a brief press conference after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting today.
Najib was commenting on news reports that Abdul Taib was mulling retirement after helming Sarawak for 29 years.
On claims by Pakatan Rakyat that Umno was responsible for the on-going spat between DAP and PAS over the latter's intentions to implement hudud law.
Pakatan leaders had blamed the government-controlled mainstream media of blowing the matter out of proportion to hide the government's wrongdoings, such as the RM52 billion bumiputra sharescandal.
Najib said Umno have no idea what was going on between the two opposition partners, aside from the obvious cracks in the Pakatan.
"What we can see is the clash of positions on such a fundamental issue. It shows that their coalition is fragile... I don't see how they can be honest with each other if they are so opposed on such an important issue,” he said.
No selective prosecution
On the charge brought against three teenagers for vandalising a surau in Negeri Sembilan, Najib said that the government does not practice selective prosecution when it comes to racial or religious matters and will follow the law to the letter.
"We do not want anyone to twist this issue, as if we practice selective prosecution," he said.
When asked to comment on Utusan Malaysia's report attacking DAP's Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching for speaking at a surau, Najib said he will leave it to the religious authorities to deal with the matter.
On the recent anti-Malaysia protests in Indonesia where human feces were thrown at the Malaysian flag and embassy, Najib said it was the work of mercenaries.
He said it was "not surprising", as the so-called protesters were hired to "spoil" ties between Malaysia and Indonesia.
"They want us to be angry, they want us to react and spoil our relationship with Indonesia, so let us not fall for their trap," he said.
Najib noted that cabinet has discussed the issue and the government has summoned Indonesia's consul-general to Malaysia to ask for stricter monitoring by Indonesian authorities to avoid a repeat of such an incident.
Kimma official Umno associates
On the upcoming Umno general assembly, Najib, who is also the party's president, announced that the assembly will be held on Oct 19 to 23.
He also announced that Umno's top leadership has agreed to accept the Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) as an associate member.
Najib said Kimma will be allowed to sit in as an observer during the general assembly and division meetings, but stressed that it will not have any say in party matters.
"They have agreed to support all our policies and also help Umno to promote and realise its goals," he said.
courtesy of Malaysiakini
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