Najib: Members who wanted more caused our defeat

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says that there are Umno members who supported the party’s leaders when they were in power, but turned traitors after the leaders were toppled.

“Sometimes, there are people who proclaim their loyalty, but only when we were in power. When we lose power, these people trampled on Umno flags.

“It’s better for these kind of party members to leave Umno as Umno wants only those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the party,” Sinar Harian quoted the former prime minister as saying during a speech to a group of supporters at a restaurant on Saturday. It was organised by Persatuan Kebajikan Insan Mulia (PKIM) and Pulau Ketam Umno women’s division.

Najib was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and their children.

Najib said there were party members who only showed their sup- port when they got what they wanted.

“But to me the most valuable Umno supporters are those who supported the party through thick and thin, just like yourselves,” he said at the eatery.

Najib said he was sad over Umno’s loss in GE14, adding that among the reasons was due to errant party members. “There are those who threatened the party if they were not chosen as general election candidates. Strangely, this was committed by those who have already got positions in Umno.

“If this is how they behave, it is no wonder the Opposition managed to attack us (in GE14). People are looking at us as if we have lost our values,” he added.

Najib said every Umno member should reflect upon his or her work and correct what was wrong.

“We must be sincere and loyal to Umno. Only then, can we see the light at the end of the tunnel.”