Allegations a political attack meant to weaken Umno, says Najib

PEKAN: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he did not steal what belongs to the people.

Instead, he said he was now the victim of political attacks in order to weaken the name of Umno.

“I’m not a person who steals what belongs to the people.

“The people of Pekan know I am not a person who steals. For 42 years I have served the people here,” said Najib to shouts of “Hidup Najib”.

“Now I am targeted because I was the prime minister and the leader of the political party, so if my brand is weakened then Umno’s name will also be weakened. This is a political strategy.”

Their campaign was based on attacks on people, spreading slander and hate as well as promises which will obviously not be fulfill­ed, said Najib.

“We don’t believe in such politics. Even though we lost, we still hold to our principles and our honour,” said Najib.

He added that Umno only made promises that can be fulfilled.

Najib was at the Umno building here to officiate the Pekan Umno branch meeting and it was the Pekan MP’s first visit to his consti­tuency after the elections.

He said he will continue to support the fight for the cause of Umno even though Barisan Nasional no longer has a hold on Putrajaya.

“I readily accept the defeat with an open heart but now we must continue to fight for the people and let the people see that we are sincere,” he added.

Najib is currently facing investigation and his properties in Kuala Lumpur have been raided by the police, allegedly looking for links to 1MDB.

In Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning, Puteri Umno exco member Khaidhirah Abu Zahar led some 50 Puteri Umno members to visit Najib at his Taman Duta residence.

“We didn’t have the chance to meet him since the general election so we are here today to see him and to show our support.

“It was just a brief meeting and he advised us to stick together and be positive. It’s a learning process for all of us,” she said, adding that Najib was in good spirit and they were surprised at how welcoming he was.

Najib is expected to return to his Taman Duta residence from Pekan this afternoon.