Go out and explain 1MDB issue, Umno leaders told

PETALING JAYA: Umno wants the party leadership to step up efforts to explain the 1MDB issue to its members and the public to prevent a crisis of confidence against the Prime Minister.

Supreme council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the party was facing “a confidence problem” that must be addressed.

“We cannot just let the issue go on without any explanation. We have to get the people to understand. They cannot form opinions without getting verified information.

“Sure, they can listen to all the speculation but they should not make any conclusion. As the governing political party, we have to address and face this problem by explaining and giving the correct information,” he said.

Tajuddin warned that the party would face “a deficit trust” if the problem was not dealt with.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who insisted that the party was still intact despite the controversy, said: “The issue has had some effect on the party, although minimal. It does affect us slightly, because Datuk Seri Najib is our president and we are concerned for him.”

Urging members to remain calm and rational, he also advised them not to be taken in by attempts to manipulate and provoke them.

“We should give our utmost support to the party leadership and allow Najib space to consider his next course of action,” he said.

Supreme council member Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who agreed that the leadership should do more to explain the issue, said it could not be denied that Umno was being “wounded” by the relentless attacks against its president.

“The question now is how long the healing process will take. To ensure speedy recovery, we need good doctors and the right medication,” he said.