Nazri to Dr M: Challenge Najib in Pekan if you’re so strong

(Malay Mail Online) – A senior minister today dared Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take on Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the general election and Umno polls if the former prime minister thinks he still has the support.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said that would be the best way to determine if Najib ― who is also Umno president ― should stay or leave, while stressing that the current prime minister has been undefeated in 10 electoral contests in the Pekan parliamentary seat.

“I am not sure how much support Mahathir still enjoys, but if he think he’s still strong, he can challenge Najib in the next general election,” Nazri was quoted as saying by Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily.

Nazri, who is also Padang Rengas MP, said it is not in Umno’s culture to force a leadership change, pointing out that Najib’s predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, had voluntarily stepped down.

“Nobody can force a leader to step down, Najib has stressed many times that he would stay on as he thinks he has done nothing wrong,” he said.

Nazri added that the power lies with the people to decide whether or not they will continue to support the prime minister, just as it is up to Umno members to back their president.

He said Dr Mahathir should also take his own advice to Umno members that there can only be one captain on a ship.

“We are heeding his advice. Najib is the captain now, not Mahathir,” he said, while at the same time dismissing online criticism of Najib’s fiscal policies as not representative of the people.

Najib’s leadership has come under heavy criticism of late over a number of issues, particularly its handling of allegations surrounding 1 Malaysia Development Berhad.

The allegations prompted Dr Mahathir to publicly demand that Najib step down for failing to adequately address the alleged transgressions of his government.