‘Najib will see attacks, from within and outside’

Sacked Umno member Anina Saadudin hints at continued opposition to leadership from Mahathir on the outside and Muhyiddin, Shafie and Mukhriz from inside.

(FMT) – The decision by several top Umno rebels to remain in the party means its president, Najib Razak, could now expect internal “attacks” as well as challenges externally.

Speaking to FMT, sacked Langkawi Umno member Anina Saadudin hinted that influential people like former Premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, suspended Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin and Vice-President Mohd Shafie Apdal could be firing salvos at Najib.

While Muhyiddin, Shafie and former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahahtir had yesterday pledged to remain in the party, Mahathir had on Monday announced his decision to quit Umno.

The quartet, Anina explained, could mount a multi-cornered attack to defeat “pirates that had hijacked the party”, alluding to the president and the Supreme Council.

“As Umno leaders who were elected by party members, they are responsible for fighting from within.

“They can’t abandon the ship. They need to save Umno,” she said, referring to Muhyiddin and Shafie.

She claimed while it may not appear so, most of Umno members had in their hearts left the party and were silently counting down the days to when the longest ruling party would be freed of these “hijackers”.

Their loyalty, Anina said, would now lie with Muhyiddin and Shafie while Dr Mahathir would be leading those who had left the party.

Former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan also applauded the trio’s decision to stay put, saying that their presence within the party was very much needed.

He also refuted Umno Supreme Council member Salleh Said Keruak’s statement claiming that Mahathir had once again been abandoned.

“It is their right to make their own stand. We can’t force anyone to follow in the footsteps of Dr Mahathir.

“Let him and I stay outside Umno to provide external pressure and call for Najib’s resignation.

“It provides a balance, with half the team fighting from outside of Umno and the other half continuing the fight from within,” said Khairuddin, who had also quit the party.