Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has returned fire against Nazri Abdul Aziz after the Padang Rengas MP’s criticism of his appointment as the Barisan Nasional (BN) adviser.
- Najib blamed Nazri for drop in Chinese votes due to his criticism of Robert Kuok which offended Chinese community
- Khairy urged Umno leaders not to use party as a “shield” against court proceedings they are facing
- Nazri mocked ‘Bossku’ as childish and just for fun, said Najib should step aside and distance himself from Umno
- The duo spoke out against Zahid for allowing Najib become main adviser to BN, urged Zahid to behave like the party president and not be overly influenced by Najib, denied forming a new movement or leaving Umno
Najib gave several instances of Nazri purportedly not acting in the interest of BN, according to Sinar Harian.
“We all remember that prior to this, Nazri objected to the cooperation with PAS and instead urged Umno to sideline MCA and MIC and work with DAP instead.
“In the election, MCA has also informed me that amongst the reasons their Chinese vote declined was due to his (Nazri) overboard criticism against (tycoon) Robert Kuok that offended the Chinese community,” he said.
Najib said Nazri too can occupy the position of BN adviser but questioned his commitment to stand up against Pakatan Harapan.
“Nazri or whoever can play the role as BN adviser but is he willing to consistently criticise Harapan?” he told a gathering with his supporters in Batu Kawan, Penang today.
Najib also indicated that Umno’s partners in BN have not found Nazri to be a palatable candidate, pointing out that MCA and MIC had vehemently objected to his previous appointment as BN secretary-general.
“We are all aware that previously, he was asked by MCA and MIC to let go of the position as BN secretary-general,” he added.
Earlier today, Nazri, together with Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, criticised the decision to appoint Najib as the BN adviser.
Nazri also revealed that Najib had lobbied for the position of BN chairperson but was instead appointed as an adviser, suggesting that he was trying to make a comeback as prime minister despite his 42 charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.
However, Najib denied that he was trying to use the position as a stepping stone to return as the prime minister in future.
Instead, Najib said he wanted to help strengthen BN and its component parties.
“This is the spirit we need. Instead of criticising one another openly, we should find ways to strengthen the party,” Najib added.
Meanwhile, Khairy urged party leaders to not use the party as a “shield” against court proceedings they are facing.
In reference to Najib, Khairy made the appeal as he said many Umno members are innocent of the alleged crimes.
“I was a minister. I know of the mistakes and I apologise to the people of Malaysia,” said Khairy.
On allegations by some detractors that he was quiet about Najib’s decisions in the past, Khairy said this was not true.
“I don’t like chest-thumping, but I have to let you know – not once or twice, but many times – Nazri (Abdul Aziz) and I have voiced out and criticised decisions in cabinet,” said Khairy.
During the previous administration, Khairy was youth and sports minister while Nazri was tourism minister. Nazri is currently the Padang Rengas Umno division head. Nazri had spoken at the AGM before Khairy’s turn.
“In fact, I’ve met Najib one-on-one. I told him if the 1MDB issue is not resolved, if we do not apprehend Jho Low, bad things will come to us,” he said, adding that his concerns were ignored.
He also urged the party not to treat those who speak out like outcasts.
“To the party leaders, do not outcast us,” Khairy said.
“Maybe we do not have any positions, but we are not traitors who will leave the party and cross over to Pakatan Harapan.
“What we are saying is only for the benefit of the party because we do not want the old culture to repeat itself.”
Umno’s outspoken duo Nazri and Khairy earlier today spoke out against party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for allowing Najib to become the main adviser to BN.
They said the decision was not in line with the party’s interests.
Furthermore, Nazri said the decision was not one endorsed by the Umno Supreme Council, of which he is a member.
“There was never even a discussion,” said Nazri.
Nazri also panned Najib’s ‘Malu Apa Bossku’ campaign in a bid to rebrand himself following his fall from grace.
“Bossku is not a political party, it is something childish and just for fun that won’t translate into votes,” he said.
He added that if Najib loved Umno, he should distance himself.
“He claims the (graft) allegations against him are slander but the prosecution is ongoing, so respond in the courts, not on the streets.
“Leave the party to the new leadership,” he said.
Nazri has challenged the Umno leadership to sack him and others who have criticised Najib’s appointment as BN’s adviser if it is unhappy with such comments.
However, Nazri reminded Umno about its previous decision to act against then Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and then Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal in 2016, who went on to form their own parties and helped end BN’s 61 years in power.
“I do not fear. If they want to cast us out, then cast us out. I did not attack the Umno president.
“If they want to punish me and (Rembau MP) Khairy Jamaluddin because we (spoke out of) love (for) the party, then punish us and see history repeats.
“They cast out Shafie Apdal and Muhyiddin Yassin. We thought they had no influence, but looked what happened,” he said.
Muhyiddin and Shafie faced action after they questioned Najib, who was at the time the Umno president, over allegations of grand corruption.
Muhyiddin, with the help of former Umno leaders, formed Bersatu which together with its Harapan partners captured federal power, while Shafie formed Warisan which, together with Harapan, formed the Sabah government.
Khairy said it would be “insane” to expect BN and Umno to achieve different results with Najib in an influential position.
They both said Najib had his chance in the last two general elections and BN had performed worse than before.
Nazri further said Najib should step aside, just like he had urged former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after BN’s dismal election performance in 2008, to avoid weakening the coalition.
Nazri pointed out that in the next general election in 2013, under Najib, BN had lost even more seats.
“He (Najib) has to realise that he has to step back,” Nazri said.
“I really don’t understand it because, by right, Najib should be looking at how he can help the party and not how the party can help him.”
Nazri said Najib was no longer just being slandered by individuals as his case was now in the midst of court proceedings, adding that he should allow the present leadership to run the party.
Nazri and Khairy also urged Zahid to “behave like the party president” and do what is best for the party, instead of just a few individuals.
Nazri urged Zahid not to be overly influenced by Najib.
“I want to tell Zahid that as the elected president, he must work hard for the interests of the party. Zahid has helped us work together with PAS…execute decisions that we have agreed on and please don’t continue to be Najib’s political secretary,” said Nazri.
He said Zahid must remember he is the party president now.
“We want you to protect the party and its interests. Umno does not belong to any individual, you can’t do as you like,” he added.
“He should have discussed the appointment with the party first. The Umno Supreme Council exists for the discussion of such matters.
“I asked the deputy president (about the appointment but) he didn’t know. The Supreme Council didn’t know. Since when have we had an advisory role in BN?”
He said Zahid should also consider his responsibilities as the BN chairman.
Nazri said he was worried Najib’s BN appointment would hurt Umno’s ties with PAS.
Zahid should have also discussed the appointment beforehand with PAS, he said, as “they are our friends.”
Zahid had yesterday played down Nazri’s vocal opposition to Najib’s appointment.
“It’s all right. Nazri is like a brother to me. I do not think he meant what he said but still, what’s wrong with us being inclusive of former leaders?” he said.
Asked if they were forming a new movement, both Nazri and Khairy denied it and said they were just voicing their disagreements on policies, which is allowed in the party.
Both also made it clear that they had no intention of leaving the party.
“It is not just one or two offers, we have received many offers but we remain in Umno,” said Khairy.