Johor BN pledges full support to PM’s leadership

JOHOR BAHARU: Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) and Johor Umno have stated their full support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to lead the party and government.

Johor BN chairman and Johor Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Johor BN and Umno could not accept the action of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in working with the opposition in coming up with a citizens’ declaration to remove Najib as prime minister.

“From Johor BN and Umno’s stand, we know the way to form a government is through the constitution which provides for elections, and there is no other means of changing or toppling a government other than through the process of elections.

“As such, we (Johor BN and Umno) cannot accept what has taken place and at the same time, we would like to state that Johor BN including Johor Umno will give their full support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” he said.

He told reporters this after attending Johor Gerakan’s Chinese New Year celebration which was attended by Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong, here yesterday.

On Friday, Tun Dr Mahathir headed a group of more than 50 people including Lim Kit Siang of DAP and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Mohamed Azmin Ali of PKR in signing a declaration to support the removal of Najib as prime minister. The signatories included former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir and former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.

The Johor Menteri Besar said the action of Tun Dr Mahathir could also confuse the people as it showed that the constitution and system of election were not relevant, not respected and should not be defended. He also expressed disappointment against several leaders who were involved with Dr Mahathir when they should be defending the practice of democracy and the constitution. — Bernama