More support for Najib from Johor, Sabah Umno

Johor Umno have stated their full support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to lead the party and government. State Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno could not accept the action of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in working with the opposition in coming up with the "Citizens' Declaration" to remove Najib. "From Johor BN and Umno's stand, we know the way to form a government is through the constitution which provides for elections, and there is no other means of changing or toppling a government other than through the process of elections. "As such, we (Johor BN and Umno) cannot accept what has taken place and at the same time, we would like to state that Johor BN including Johor Umno will give their full support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak," he said. Tun Dr Mahathir yesterday led a group of more than 50 people, including Lim Kit Siang of DAP and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Mohamed Azmin Ali of PKR, in signing a declaration to support the removal of Najib as prime minister. The signatories included former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. Khaled said the action of Dr Mahathir could also confuse the people as it showed that the constitution and system of election were not relevant, not respected and should not be defended. He expressed disappointment with several leaders, saying they should be defending democracy and the constitution. "We cannot deny that the action of Tun Dr Mahathir is not dangerous as the name 'citizens' declaration' means he (Tun Dr Mahathir) will be seeking the support of prominent Malays to influence the people," he said. In Sabah, state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman stated unwavering support for the Umno president. Musa, who is also the Sabah chief minister, said the stand was born out of commitment and loyalty to the party struggle and that this must co-exist with loyalty to the leader who has been legally elected through the democratic process within the party. "The principle of allegiance is not a new pledge demanded on this day or when the leadership of the president today is disputed, but it is a legacy of the tradition and discipline of the party that has led a long history of struggle. "Every era of leadership faces challenges and each of them can be handled with wisdom to bring the party out of turmoil and become stronger. Wisdom calls for determination and commitment on the part of party members to be loyal to the party and leadership, to put the interests of the party above personal and group interests," he said in a statement today. Musa said it was unfortunate when a group wishing to topple the prime minister were now joining forces with others to try to drag the people through the politics of hatred and discord. He said that rightly, all parties should stick to the national democratic system, and at this moment, priority should be placed on the national transformation agenda with the welfare of the people as the core. He said Sabah Umno would not run away from the focus of implementing the people's and the country's development agenda required the people to be together with the government in this bigger and more important agenda. "The movement of the group which is motivated by narrow personal and party politics hiding behind the slogan 'Save Malaysia' would only invite disunity, 'extreme politicking' and political instability that eventually will only hurt the people and country," said Musa. – Bernama, March 5, 2016.]]>