Umno branch chiefs: We’re not paid to tell Najib to quit

A representative of the 81 Johor branch chiefs who called for the resignation of Umno president Najib Abdul Razak, has rejected claims that they were paid to do so.

“Those who say this are making baseless and irresponsible allegations. This is our own struggle.

“We move through our own efforts, with the sole intention of upholding Malays and Malaysia,” their spokesperson Zairuddin Hamid said told a press conference in Johor Bahru last night.

The group also collected donations from those who attended as proof that none of them were paid to be there.

Earlier last night, Zairuddin and 80 other branch chiefs called for Najib’s resignation, claiming that the prime minister has caused enough damage to the party.

Representing eight out of 26 Johor Umno divisions, they also called for immediate party elections, which have been postponed several times.

'Ali Tinju's claims baseless'

Zairuddin, who heads the Bandar Pulai Jaya 2 branch, also rubbished the threat by the president of Persatuan Veteran Tentera Melayu (PVTM), Mohd Ali Baharom, threat to rampage against Umno divisions seen to be “anti-Umno”.

Zairuddin said the threat by Mohd Ali – better known as Ali Tinju - was baseless since those who have called for Najib’s resignation are office bearers in Umno.

“He needs to remember that we are all valid Umno members who hold positions. We have the right to voice out what we feel we should at the branch level,” he said.

More than a 100 branch leaders from five states have so far called on Najib to resign as Umno president, amid corruption allegations against him in connection with the 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion ‘donation’.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said he has never used public funds for private gains. -Mkini