Let's push him into the sea - Najib slams Mukhriz

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said a former Umno leader who claimed Malaysians are embarrassed by their nationality should be cast into the ocean.

Though he did not mention names, it was an obvious reference to Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir.

Mukhriz was initially quoted as stating that when he is abroad or performing the umrah in Mecca, he tells foreigners that he is from Brunei because Malaysia's name has been tainted due to the wrongdoings of its leaders.

However, his aide later clarified that the former Kedah menteri besar was referring to Malaysians, in general, being ashamed and not just himself.

Meanwhile, Najib, in his speech this afternoon, said the people should not listen to this former Umno leader and revealed how he was allowed to enter the tomb of Prophet Muhammad when he was in Medina during his recent umrah.

"How many people have had the opportunity to go inside the prophet's tomb? How many will have the opportunity if he is not respected?" he asked.

"Let’s push this leader aside. Let's push this person into the sea," he added.

Apart from visiting the prophet's tomb, Najib said he was also permitted to enter the Kaaba.

"Not only that, the Tabung Haji driver who had worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years was also given the opportunity to go in with me," he added.

Najib said the Saudi kingdom has also agreed to increase Malaysia's quota for pilgrims, and that this would not be possible if he did not share a good relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The premier was speaking before presenting offer letters to 1,200 pilgrims at the Putrajaya mosque to perform the haj with sponsorship from 1MDB.

'Close ties' with Saudi Arabia

Najib added the increase in haj quota was achieved during Saudi King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud's visit to Malaysia last year, the first Southeast Asian country he had ever visited.

The prime minister added that King Salman had agreed during the visit to build the King Salman Centre for International Peace in Putrajaya.

He also cited that Tabung Haji has also agreed to build a haj complex in Medina and Mecca for the benefit of Malaysian pilgrims, who will all stay there to ensure the haj costs would not spiral.

"All this could not be achieved if we do not have close ties and Malaysia is not respected," he said.

He also pointed out that the haj costs would be maintained at RM9980 per person, while the government and Tabung Haji would subsidise more than RM12, 470.

"Where can you find an Islamic country where the cost of haj is lower than the subsidy given to perform pilgrimage?" he asked, adding that such programs to send people for haj under 1MDB would continue.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, who was also present, later gave the Friday sermon and also led Friday prayers at the Putrajaya mosque where the function was held.- Mkini