There is no mercy for those who betray party

DATUK Seri Najib Razak’s poignant message in his opening speech at the 70th Umno general assembly yesterday was clear: there is no mercy for leaders who betray the party.

Rallying delegates to gear up for the general election, Najib announced an offensive against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his “henchmen”, drawing earsplitting applause and roars from the audience.

Using the names of parliamentary constituencies “Pagoh” and “Semporna” as euphemisms in the preamble of his speech, Najib made it loud and clear that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal have indeed become Umno’s foes.

The message for party members was also made without much fuss and subtlety — Najib had announced that the general election would take place “soon” — signalling that he has had enough of political attacks.

It looks like the prime minister is poised to put the opposition’s numerous attacks to an electoral test.

At the forefront of it all is Dr Mahathir.

His actions of late, by colluding with DAP, Bersih, PKR and currency speculator George Soros, whom he once bore a vicious enmity towards, have indirectly helped Umno to close ranks.

But Najib reminded delegates that being reactionary would not benefit Umno, as it was customary as per Malay and Islamic traditions to be patient, even before enemies.

“Some of the attacks are personal and he has been patient for far too long. Najib likes to wait and see,” said an aide.

“But the PM does not procrastinate in his course of action. He does not want his party to be ridiculed and its legacy laid to waste.

“He’ll make his move when the time is right.”

In his speech, Najib drew the delegates’ attention by highlighting the case of Dr Mahathir, Muhyiddin and Shafie as the “utmost betrayal” to Umno in the context of loyalty and Islamic faith.

A comprehension of the sentiment is important; traitors are said to have deviated from principles due to political interests, as seen in the breaking of religious oath made to protect government secrets by several former cabinet members, including Muhyiddin.

Parables of the 1987 Umno crisis were also related to make the case of the need for stronger unity among members. Najib said he was loyal to Dr Mahathir as he was the party president at that time.

The call to war also threw in a question on whether a DAP-led government was a viable alternative for the Malay, Bumiputera and Muslim communities.

Najib raised the possibility of a heightened liberalism that would likely relegate the Umno government’s decades-old legacies, such as UiTM, Mara, Felcra, Risda and Teraju, to a footnote in history.

He painted a grim picture that might stem from Umno’s defeat, and that the next election would be a door-die mission for the party.

Setting the election mood is no easy task, but Najib said the party could no longer be lost in a barrage of attacks from the opposition, and worse still, when former leaders challenge its legitimacy.

At the end of his speech, Najib led a touching prayer that saw some members in the hall shed tears.

His message has made an indelible mark and touched a nerve.