The Malaysian Insight

UMNO’S attacks against Dr Mahathir Mohamad was what caused the party to lose in the 14th general election, said Johor Umno liaison committee chairman Mohamad Khaled Nordin. 

The party went overboard with its attacks against Dr Mahathir and this backfired, the former Johor menteri besar said.

“I do not mean that whatever Dr Mahathir does is right. I also do not agree with a lot of his decisions. 

“But, it has to be acknowledged that we did not know how to face him maturely and strategically. 

“So, we took the easy way out by insulting and condemning him. Because of our harsh ways and arrogance, the people were angry with us,” he said during his speech at the Umno Pasir Gudang meeting today. 

Khaled’s speech was also live-streamed by news outlets at the venue. 

The Pasir Gudang Umno chief also urged Umno members to give Dr Mahathir room to govern the country properly and to be a proper opposition. 

Khaled said he, too, had condemned former Umno president Najib Razak for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, but was attacked by the “president’s men” and even his own division leaders.  

Khaled is contesting one of the three vice-president’s post in today’s party elections. – June 30, 2018.