The Malaysian Insight

UMNO is not divided but there are differences of opinion among its leadership, said Najib Razak.

The former Umno president said whatever the difference of opinion among its top leadership, the party will make a stand when the time comes.

“Possibly, there are differences but I don’t think it is right to use the term divided. There are groups within the party with differing views.

“But as a party which will make free and democratic decisions, it will make the right decision when the time comes,” said the Pekan MP and division chief during an exclusive with Astro Awani tonight.

His interview tonight comes amid talk that the party was divided following a Supreme Council meeting in Janda Baik last Friday.

The meeting had decided to reject working with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the next general election.

Party sources told media groups it had also rejected Bersatu’s offer of a deputy prime minister’s post. 

Umno had met at its training centre in Janda Baik, Pahang following Bersatu’s ultimatum to the party recently.

Various sources told The Malaysian Insight that Bersatu wanted Umno to decide whether it will be with PN ahead of GE15.

Najib said the party has never been in its current position in its history where it is not leading the government.

The lynchpin Barisan Nasional party lost the 2018 general election but has returned to power after the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government last year.

The party has joined the federal government but the coalition is not part of the newly formed PN coalition.

He said the current arrangement may have triggered the differing opinion among the leadership

“This is a challenging time for Umno. We had never been in opposition or been part of a government where absolute power is not with us.

“It has sparked a variety of views which has created differing thoughts.

“But when the time comes, Umno will unite and will do the right thing ahead of the coming general election,” he said.

On the changing political dynamic in the country, Najib said the party is willing to work with anyone including its political nemesis.

However, Najib did not name any of the opposition parties during the interview.

“Look at PH, who would have thought Dr Mahathir would be with Anwar Ibrahim, let alone sit at the same table with DAP. We never thought this was possible,” he said

However, Najib said any move to work with opposition parties can only happen if the party’s grassroots endorsed it.

“Whatever we do must be accepted by the party’s grassroots and the divisions.

“I don’t see why we should not be open about working with anyone but it must be with the condition that the grassroots and leadership accept it,” he said. – February 22, 2021.