‘Many in Umno want Najib held accountable over 1MDB’

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin believes that many within Umno want the party’s former president, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to be held accountable for the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

He said despite the party’s public defence of the former prime minister, not everyone believed he was in the right.

“Not everyone in Umno believes Najib is right. There are many within Umno who want Najib to take responsibility for the 1MDB crisis.

“We’re not yes-men. We have our own way of dealing with internal issues.”

Khalid said Umno placed a lot of importance on its president, which caused the party to pay a heavy price in the 14th General Election.

He blamed former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for maintaining the system.

“Umno is president-centric. Among those responsible for creating and perpetuating such a structure in Umno are Muhyiddin and (Dr) Mahathir.”

He said Umno would learn from this episode.

He said what happened in GE14 was an isolated incident, with the party paying dearly for prioritising the president over the party.

“It is part of life. We do not regret it.

“We will learn from our mistakes. Umno has learnt a big lesson.

“We promise not to repeat our mistakes.”