Najib: I’ll speak my mind, especially on Umno policies I came up with

DATUK Seri Najib Tun Razak says he has never interfered in Umno’s administration since he resigned as its president, but is only defending the policies he introduced when he was helming the country.

Responding to calls for him to stay away from party affairs following its loss in the Sungai Kandis by-election, Najib said the new Umno leadership was free to do as it deemed fit.

“Since I left as Umno president, I have not interfered in the administration of Umno.

“Zahid is very free to decide, for example, on the question of office bearers, candidate for Sungai Kandis by-election and all that,” he said, referring to current president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The former prime minister told reporters at the Parliament lobby that while he backed Dr Ahmad Zahid, he was also entitled to defend his policies and to clear misconception and manipulation of facts and figures by the new government.

He said it was only fair for him to do so, adding that it was his right.

“It’s my duty to explain in self-defence. That’s what I’m doing because I’m also an MP, and occasionally I will speak because I have been voted in by the people,” he said.

On his presence at the campaign during the Sungai Kandis by-election, Najib said he was invited by the candidate, Lokman Adam.

Meanwhile, veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said it was unfair to stop Najib from voicing his views as he was a lawmaker who had not been convicted of any charges.