Muhyiddin defends Umno and Govt

(The Star) – Umno has not kept quiet and has started to improve its image after the 2008 election debacle.

Responding to scathing attacks against the party by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said: “I am sure he still loves Umno and wants to see it strong and able to defend its position as the Government.

“But to say that we have not taken steps to strengthen the party and overcome challenges since the 2008 general election is not true.”

Muhyiddin, who is deputy Umno president, said this at a press conference after presenting the Ilham Desa national awards here yesterday.

He was commenting on remarks made by Dr Mahathir during an interview with Mingguan Malaysia that Umno currently lacked good credible leaders and was a pale shadow if its former self.

He also alleged Umno had not made any improvements since the last general election.

Defending the party and the Government, Muhyiddin said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had introduced a national transformation programme.

“He (Najib) understands what the people want and there is growing support – although not strong enough yet,” said Muhyiddin, adding that the party would continue to engage with the leadership and other component parties of the ruling Barisan Nasional.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the party, under Najib’s leadership, had done many things to improve and overcome its problems.