KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed claims that Umno joined the unity government to save him personally, and gave his assurance that the party has never abandoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The Umno president said he was well aware of the recurring narrative that the decision was driven by self-interest, while Umno’s attempts to defend Najib had been met with scorn and ridicule.
"Our support for him has never wavered.
"Our efforts to defend him have never faltered. In fact, he contacted me to convey his greetings to all delegates here," he said in his policy speech during the opening of the 79th Umno General Assembly here on Friday (Jan 16).
Umno, he added, also humbly appealed to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to show compassion to Najib, so that he may receive whatever consideration and leniency would allow him to return to "his family and to all of us".
Ahmad Zahid also urged delegates to exercise greater patience in this struggle.
"This is the reality of our struggle; patience is part of our strength.
"Believe me, brothers and sisters, the leadership and I are not deaf to the voices of the grassroots.
"All grievances, concerns and pressures, including calls for Umno to leave the government, have been heard, evaluated and carefully considered at the highest level.
"However, any decision we made was not an easy one. It was guided by the interests of the nation and the greater good of the ummah," he said.
