Najib: I will not step down as Umno president

MALACCA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says he will not step down as Umno president as there are three million party members firmly behind him.

He said that as an individual elected via democratic principles based on the new party constitution, the president should be given room to serve Umno and the people well.

“With the strong support of Umno, I will not bow to the demand of one person to step down because three million Umno members are with me. I am not arrogant but I was elected, so do not stop me from doing my best (for the people).

“There is talk that I was not wise to have discarded the quota system for the presidential election, but I want our party to be more inclusive, more democratic. So, I left it to the Umno members to decide,” he said when opening the Kota Melaka Umno division delegates meeting in Bandar Hilir here on Saturday.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron, who is Malacca Umno liaison committee chairman, Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Shamsudin and Kota Melaka Umno Division chief Datuk Abdul Latiff Tamby Chik were also present at the event.

Najib further called on Umno members to support him, not in his personal capacity but as the party president.

Najib added that Umno members should discard extremism and opt for moderation to ensure that the party continued to garner the support of the people.

“If we opt for the middle path, if we choose moderation and are united, loyal to the leader, work hard, serve the people, solve the people's problems, look after the welfare of all communities, God willing we will win (the elections),” he said. – Bernama