Umno was not born out of hatred and an attempt to topple a leader, party president Najib Abdul Razak said today, in what appeared to be a veiled swipe at the new Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
The prime minister added that Umno's struggle would not have lasted long if it was based on “unfulfilled personal ambition”, Bernama reported.
"Umno was not born out of hatred, Umno was not born out of frustration, Umno was not born in an attempt to topple a leader.
“If those were the foundations of our struggle, then what we have done was not based on the idealism of fighting for something noble and sacred.
"Without a clear aspiration, or with only anger, hatred and unfulfilled personal ambition, the struggle will not last long," Najib was quoted as saying when opening the Jelebu Umno divisional delegates' meeting and 'Sehati Sejiwa' People's Feast at Kuala Klawang Mini Stadium.
Najib's remarks comes days after his former deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, submitted Bersatu's registration papers to the Registrar of Societies.
Bersatu's seven founding members said the key reason the party was created was to save Malaysia from Najib.
It is to be led by Muhyiddin, who was sacked from the cabinet and Umno, while Najib's arch-nemesis, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is to be its chairperson.
'Only gov't aid benefits public'
However, Najib reportedly said today that the referendums and declarations aimed at ousting him would be of no benefit to Malaysians.
Instead, government assistance was the key to uplifting Malaysians, he said.
"The people cannot live with this kind of politics... the people can live when we give them aid and assistance, such as the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M), schooling aid, mini projects, 'duit Raya', bonus and the likes of it.
"These are the matters that would ensure people's welfare and wellbeing, not all those useless (referendum and declaration) things," he said.
Meanwhile, elaborating further on Umno's virtues, Najib reportedly reminded members that the “sacred” party was born on the steps of the Istana Besar Johor.
He said it was founded in the echoes and spirit of patriotism of the Malays to reject colonialism and to defend their dignity and honour.
"Whether we were fighting communist insurgents or facing the economic downturn, Umno has been able to stand strong because we have an aspiration to protect our dignity and honour." - Mkini
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