Najib: We must always fight for Umno
Former PM urges members never to forget party’s true cause and struggle
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on party members to rise from the ashes and focus on the party’s original struggle.
In a Facebook posting, the embattled former Umno president said the party was in a “dark and challenging place”.
“Umno is at a crossroad that is testing our strength and loyalty to the party. This is the time for us to know who among us truly love the party or being in it for self-interest.
“I believe those who attend this year’s assembly are those who are loyal and who hold steadfast towards the party’s struggle and will never budge from its true cause.
“Leaders come and go but Umno will never fall,” he said.
He also voiced confidence in current Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to bring the party through the challenges and rise to fight for the race, religion and the country.
Najib also hoped the assembly would continue to celebrate differences of opinions as long as the aim is to ensure the continuity and unity of the party.
Separately, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the revival of Umno was the thrust of the party leadership’s message to the Youth, Wanita and Puteri delegates at the General Assembly in Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.
Saying that the 71-year-old organisation must be rebuilt with the right values, morals, ideology and on its original tracks, Mohamad said the party must set aside its ambitions to regain power.
“Rebuilding Umno post-GE14 is definitely tough. We are destined to heal the party. Perhaps, this is what we have to pay for our misdeeds and negligence in upholding the people’s trust.
“We can no longer delay. The longer we wait to unveil Umno’s way forward, the more people will lose trust in us.
“The fact that some have left us says it all. Sadly, many have chosen to abandon the struggle. But I choose to continue giving Umno lifeline,” he said in his maiden speech at the opening of three wings last night.
On stage were the new leadership of the three wings – Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (Youth), Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad (Wanita) and Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan (Puteri) – all of whom won their positions in the June party polls.
Mohamad told the delegates that despite losing the general election, they should not lose hope of the party’s struggles.
“Of course, I am sad that we lost, but I will be more sad if the young in Umno losses hope and their fighting spirit,” he said.
Mohamad said although party detractors claimed Umno would die, members of the three wings should give the party a new lease of life.
“With no other Malay party that is dominant, Umno must continue to exist to be the safety net for the Malays.
“To rebuild Umno, to heal it and to revive its credibility is not an option but a responsibility,” he said.