Najib’s handshake offer a display of wisdom and strength, Umno minister says

(Malay Mail Online) – It takes a great deal of courage and strength for a leader to seek reconciliation instead of war despite having endured so many harsh words from his critics, Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s handshake offer to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.

In a blog post, the Umno minister said the gesture should not be seen as a sign of weakness, claiming that it instead shows that although Najib could choose to fight his enemies, he prefers to keep things peaceful for the good of the party.

“Despite the harsh words hurled at him and at his image, Najib extended a hand of friendship to those who opposed him when he could have just as easily chosen to humiliate them.

“He showed that he can be a fighter but yet also a philanthropist, which is his true nature. Najib is ready to forgive and to forget for the good of the party,” Salleh said in the post.

“Najib is no longer seen as weak for choosing peace instead of war. In fact, it takes a strong person to forgive those who have turned their backs on you,” he added.

Salleh also recalled that during the “Team A, Team B” crisis in Umno under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1987, Najib had been reluctant to join the faction war, believing it would only create a nasty split in the ruling party.

“The problem is, sometimes people wrongly view diplomacy and peace as signs of cowardice. They fail to see the positive side of such an approach, which in fact is what makes a man a gentleman,” the Umno leader said.

Yesterday, Najib closed the Umno general assembly by walking over to his estranged deputy president Muhyiddin and shaking his hand to thunderous applause from party delegates and members.

In his speech before the handshake, the Umno president urged party members to unite, put aside any differences and to not believe rumours without verification.

Later, however, Muhyiddin indicated that he rejected Najib’s reconciliation proposal, telling reporters that the Umno president should address the issues he had raised rather than forgive him for his criticism.

Muhyiddin also reiterated that his disagreement with Najib was not personal, and that he was standing up for the party’s principles.

The embattled Umno deputy president, along with several other leaders like vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Dr Mahathir, have been criticising the Najib leadership of late over its handling of controversies like 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion donation.