Youth delegate apologises to Najib over step down call

KUALA LUMPUR: A Youth delegate has admitted to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that he was partly responsible for demanding that the leader steps down as Umno president and Prime Minister.

Tampin Umno Youth chief Rizuan Ahmad declared that he was among those calling for an emergency motion last year.

“I take full responsibility for the motion. We only wanted to voice our concerns but we never insulted you on social media nor did we take to the streets. Neither did we call Datin Seri Rosmah (Mansor) names.

“We are loyal to you and to Umno, if we did wrong, just punish us,” he said.

He took the opportunity to apologise to Najib and Rosmah when the two came to observe proceedings at the youth wing meeting.

Rizuan acknowledged the importance of loyalty to the party and its leadership, saying that his chief Khairy Jamaluddin was a shining example of a faithful party member.

He said Khairy remained loyal to Umno although he was not immediately given a government post after winning his first general election in 2008 and youth leadership in 2009.

“He was not appointed to any position, but the one who lost was appointed deputy minister. Who is loyal now?” he asked, in an apparent reference to Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Umno wings have rallied behind their president, vowing to defend him against enemies as the party prepares to face the general election.

This was one of the common theme at the assemblies, as delegates pledged to not only defend the party but also Najib against attacks.

Hu lu Terengganu Youth delegate Mohd Johari Abu Bakar said loyalty to party and its leadership should be supreme and the responsibility to defend the institution was on the shoulders of every member.

Representative from Kedah, Datuk Hasmuni Hassan, wanted partly members to play a greater role in deflecting lies and slander against the leadership.

Hasmuni, who is Kubang Pasu Youth chief, said members were loyal to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he was in the party but once he joined the Opposition, Umno was prepared to defeat him in the election.

“Members in Kubang Pasu were disappointed when he betrayed the party. Now we challenge him to contest there,” he said.

The Wanita movement also pledged to defend the president, lashing out at former comrades and the Opposition for creating havoc in the country.

Kedah representative Datin Noor Hasita Mat Isa was saddened by the actions of certain groups who placed importance on themselves instead of the people.

“We won’t be sincere, honest and loyal if leaders behave like this. We reject this kind of leaders,” she said in obvious reference to Dr Mahathir who, after leaving Umno, formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Sabah representative Mizma Appehdullah said the movement rejected efforts by certain groups to allow the influence of foreign power to overthrow a rightfully-elected government.

“Let’s go back and explain to the people what exactly democracy is. It was about people’s mandate from elections, not demonstrations,” she said.