Najib: My fate is determined by the people, not by Dr M

(NST) – Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said his position as the leader of the country and Umno should be determined by more than three million Umno members, and not by others, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I am answerable to them as they are the ones who will decide on my fate,” he said when opening the Lumut Umno division delegates’ meeting here today.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) chair said that when the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar parliamentary by-elections were held, there were those who said the results should be a referendum for the people towards Barisan Nasional and the prime minister.

“However, we managed to secure higher majority votes as the people are confident with the BN brand, even though our candidate in Kuala Kangsar could not go out to campaign,” he said.

Najib said the party’ strength lies in the loyalty, commitment, love, dedication and sacrifice of its grassroots members.

He said Umno members had always remained with the party despite many of them not holding any posts at division level, become ministers or secure contracts.

“Loyalty to the party should last forever and not when ones has positions or have their wishes fulfilled,” he said adding that insincere members would always leave the party when they could not get what they want.

The Umno president also questioned the sincerity of those who accused him of not suppporting the Malays, including Dr Mahathir, as they were now holding hands with DAP leaders.

Najib also reminded BN and Umno members in Perak not to forget the suffering they endured when the state was ruled by the Opposition for 11 months in 2008.

“We must ensure that BN remains in power in the next general election as we have a good partnership between the state and federal governments,” he said.

Present was Menteri Besar and Lumut Umno division chief Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.