A MAJOR SPLIT IN UMNO IS IMMINENT: ALL EYES ON KHAIRY & NAZRI TO WALK OUT – EVEN AS NAJIB SCOLDS THEM FOR CRITICIZING HIS APPOINTMENT AS BN ADVISER

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Najib Razak today responded to Umno lawmaker Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz who had criticised his appointment as Barisan Nasional (BN) adviser.

Najib questioned Nazri’s commitment to stand up against Pakatan Harapan (PH) and gave several instances when the Padang Rengas MP failed to act in the interest of BN, Sinar Harian reported.

“Prior to this, Nazri had objected to the cooperation with PAS and instead urged Umno to sideline MCA and MIC and work with DAP instead.

“In the election (GE14), MCA also informed me that amongst the reasons their Chinese vote declined was due to Nazri’s overboard criticism against (tycoon) Robert Kuok that offended the Chinese community,” he said during a gathering with his supporters in Batu Kawan, Penang earlier today.

Najib said Nazri too can occupy the position of BN adviser but asked if the latter would be willing to harp on PH when the need arises.

“Nazri or whoever can play the role as BN adviser but is he willing to consistently criticise Harapan?” he was quoted as saying.

Najib further suggested that Umno’s partners in BN have not found Nazri to be a palatable candidate.

He pointed out that MCA and MIC had strongly objected to his previous appointment as BN secretary-general.

“We are all aware that previously, he was asked by MCA and MIC to let go of the position as BN secretary-general,” he added.

Earlier today, Nazri, together with Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, criticised Najib’s appointment as BN adviser.

Nazri claimed that Najib had initially lobbied for the position of BN chairperson but was instead appointed as an adviser.

Nazri added that Najib was trying to make a comeback as prime minister despite his 42 charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.

Meanwhile Khairy urged party leaders to not use the party as a “shield” against court proceedings they are facing.

In reference to Najib, Khairy made the appeal as he said many Umno members are innocent of the alleged crimes.

On July 9, BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor announced that Najib had been appointed as the top adviser for BN after a meeting between party chiefs.

Don’t use Umno as a ‘shield,’ Khairy tells Najib

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno lawmaker Khairy Jamaluddin has urged party leaders to not use the party as a “shield” against court proceedings they are facing, Malaysikini reported today.

In reference to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Khairy made the appeal as he said many Umno members are innocent of the alleged crimes.

“Ladies and gentlemen. It is not that I don’t respect Najib… He adopted me as a cabinet minister… I do owe him gratitude.

“But my appeal is: Do not use the party as a personal shield because those in the lower rung are innocent. Millions of Umno members are innocent.

“I was a minister. I know of the mistakes and I apologise to the people of Malaysia,” the news portal quoted Khairy to have said at the Padang Rengas Umno division AGM today.

Khairy had made the appeal following Najib’s appointment as the Barisan Nasional advisory board chairman last week, adding that said Najib was facing multiple serious criminal charges in court.

Khairy had also denied that he had kept mum over Najib’s past decisions as alleged by certain critics.

“I don’t like chest-thumping, but I have to let you know — not once or twice, but many times — Nazri and I have voiced out and criticised decisions in cabinet,” said Khairy, referring to the Padang Rengas MP and division chief Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

Khairy was the former Umno Youth chief and youth and sports minister while Nazri was the former tourism, arts, and culture minister during the previous BN administration.

“In fact, I’ve met Najib one-on-one. I told him, if the 1MDB issue is not resolved, if we do not apprehend Jho Low, bad things will come to us,” said Khairy, claiming that his concerns over the matter were ignored.

On Wednesday, Khairy had told the media he was “not so happy where he is” following Najib’s appointment as an advisor the day before.

Just Monday, Khairy said he was content with being in the Opposition party, following the invitation by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul to join the ruling party.

– Malay Mail