Mahathir, Muhyiddin working with opposition a big mistake, says Najib
(Bernama) – Umno views Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to work with the opposition as a very big mistake, said Najib Razak.
The Prime Minister and UMNO president said the actions of both the former senior leaders of UMNO had also incurred the wrath and disappointment of Umno leaders and members.
“I see most of the Umno leaders, they are very angry and disappointed with Dr Mahathir’s decision to work with the opposition.
“In fact, excerpts of Dr Mahathir’s speeches have gone viral, also condemnation of Lim Kit Siang as a racist leader and a DAP chauvinist.
“Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Tun Dr Mahathir have previosuly condemned and criticised Kit Siang and DAP outright. Which is why Umno leaders cannot accept (this). They know what the DAP’s stand is all this while, so what they did is a very big mistake,” he told reporters here today.
Najib said this in commenting on the actions of the two leaders in joining forces with the opposition at an event which came out with the Citizens’ Declaration in the federal capital on Friday (March 4).
At the event, Muhyiddin and former menteri besar of Kedah Mukhriz Mahathir were among 50 individuals who signed the declaration which was led by Dr Mahathir, who quit Umno recently.
Also supporting the declaration were DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, Selangor Menteri Besar and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik.
Asked if action would be taken against the Umno leaders involved, Najib said: “It is up to Umno’s Supreme Council and Disciplinary Committee.
“We, leaders at whatever level, are subject to the constitution and disciplinary requirements of the party.”
Asked if this was a final warning for Muhyiddin, he said: “Let Umno’s Supreme Council decide. We believe the highest body is the supreme council.”
On Kedah Umno’s decision that action be taken against Muhyiddin and Mukhriz, Najib said he did not want to make the decision alone and was leaving it to the Supreme Council.
“I leave it to the Supreme Council. I do not want to make a decision by myself. We practise collective responsibility,” said the Prime Minister.
Despite all this, Najib said the government would concentrate on the country’s development as well as serving the rakyat (people).
“As far as we are concerned, the confidence level depends on elections. At the moment, the government will continue because we have the mandate and numbers in Parliament. The party is also behind the government,” he said when asked whether he was confident that the people were still with Umno.
