Make right decision to protect political interest, Najib tells Umno delegates

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called on party delegates to make the right decision so as to protect their political interest, ahead of the general assembly tomorrow.

Speaking in a Facebook Live session today, the Pekan MP said all divisions have proposed various issues to be tabled and debated in their yearly meet at PWTC, especially when this weekend’s powwow will chart the party’s political allegiance in the next general election.

“We must ask ourselves, what do we want for our party?

“What is the best for our party? What will strengthen our party? What can we do to ensure that efforts by certain cunning parties who want to destroy and replace Umno, fail?

“A holistic consideration must be made,” said Najib, alluding to Umno’s Perikatan Nasional ally, Bersatu.

He echoed Umno No. 2 Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s statement that unlike the assembly in 2018, when the party was insulted by various quarters, this time around, it is being actively courted by various political outfits, ranging from Pakatan Harapan parties to Bersatu.

Najib also called on delegates to discuss economic and development matters.

He said the economy has tanked since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and there are roughly 780,000 unemployed Malaysians struggling to survive.

Businessmen have complained that they are facing a bearish economy for the rest of the year, and that the service, wholesale, retail and manufacturing sectors hold a bleak view, he said.

“It is even more worrying that there’s news that many companies and traders no longer have the resilience to survive this year. At least 15% to 20% of companies expect to reduce their workforce, while many more said they will be forced to shut down.

“Unfortunately, this situation has not changed. There’s no development direction. There’s no economic leadership. There’s no action taken to recover.

“It’s as if they want the public to feel grateful, to accept their misfortunate in the current situation.

“Umno members, I believe we must utilise (the general assembly) as best as we can. Not only must we voice out our opinion on Umno’s future direction, but also on Malaysia’s overall development and the welfare of the people.” – The Vibes, March 26, 2021