‘PUT PARTY BEFORE
Najib urges Umno members to close ranks to fight misinformation
HIDIR REDUAN
PEKAN hidirreduan@nst.com.my
UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak warned party members against the machinations of enemies, in galvanising preparations for the 14th General Election.
Najib, who is also prime minister, reminded Umno members to close ranks and abide by party decisions instead of creating dissension for personal gain.
“If we dispute party decisions when they do not align with our personal aims, we become the gunting dalam lipatan and duri dalam daging (Malay idioms referring to enemies from within) during GE14,” he said.
Najib, who is also Pekan member of parliament and Pekan Umno division chief, said this at the opening of the Pekan Umno branches and wings’ annual assembly here yesterday.
He said party members must prioritise Umno’s objectives and struggles over personal interests and avoid factionalism.
“If we are loyal to the party based on the principles of wala’ (loyalty), our party will be strong,” Najib said, adding that he hoped for all divisions in the party, including Pekan, to endure, remain united and enjoy the possibility of partnership in science and technology defence research.
Khalid, who is in Malaysia on a four-day official visit, had earlier attended a bilateral meeting with Hishammuddin.
Hishammuddin said during the meeting, Qatar showed interest in how the ministry stayed on course with its plans, despite facing limitations.
“They (Qatar) were interested to know how we continue with our defence plans despite the economic uncertainty.”
He said Malaysia and Qatar would elevate their diplomatic ties by establishing a high-level committee to focus on the structural the people’s support.
He said solidarity was particularly important to battle the proliferation of misinformation, confusion and incitement against the government, which could lead to irreversible shifts.
“This happens not only in our country, but in advanced nations like the United Kingdom, which (is exiting) the European Union. This (decision) was made based on a campaign (driven framework of both countries’ defence institution.
“There are only a few countries with which we have elevated our relationship and signed the HLC.
“Now, our relationship has reached such a level that we can ink the HLC in Qatar, hopefully.”
Hishammuddin hoped that the contents of the HLC could be announced after Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Malaysia.
Hishammuddin also said that Malaysia was praised for its initiative with Saudi Arabia in establishing the King Salman Centre for International Peace, and hoped Qatar would soon join the establishment. by) misinformation.
“This led to a historical change for the UK that cannot be (reversed),” said Najib.
Najib said in the run-up to the 13th General Election, the opposition claimed that the Lynas rare earth refinery in Gebeng, Kuantan, would leak radiation.
“Lynas has been operating for the past five years but the opposition has fallen silent (over the Lynas issue) because GE13 is