IN Kepala Batas, the constituency that gave Malaysia its fifth prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Umno grassroots members are feeling optimistic about the chief, Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Implacably behind their party president, none of the controversies surrounding Najib – including the 1Malaysia Development Bhd  (1MDB) scandal, reports of which have spread across the globe – means anything to them.

Kepala Batas Umno Wanita member Zainab Said, of the Padang Tembusu branch, said the grassroots were largely behind the chief for the sake of the party.

“We need to support the party leadership, regardless of who he is. It is not the individual that matters.

“It was the same when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was party president,” she told The Malaysian Insight at the Kepala Batas Umno division delegates’ annual meeting yesterday at the Industrial Training Institute.

Dr Mahathir, who led Umno for more than 20 years, is now Pakatan Harapan chairman. He is leading the opposition coalition’s charge to remove Barisan Nasional from Putrajaya. 

Zainab said she felt bad for Najib, who was vilified daily on social media, even over accusations that were not true.

The rank and file simply do not buy the narratives of the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition, which allege that Najib received billions of ringgit allegedly siphoned off from sovereign fund 1MDB.

An Umno member from Penaga, who identified himself as simply Mohamad, thought “Najib is okay” and believed the prime minister did not commit the crimes the opposition was accusing him of.

“There is still no solid proof to show that he did all that. I know his reputation has taken quite a bashing over it.

“I have heard talk among some Umno members that it might be better if Najib resigned and let someone else take over. Honestly, I think under Najib, we still have a 50/50 chance of retaining the federal government in the next general election,” he said.

Jalan Kedah branch member Azizi Safar said the grassroots did not pay attention to the talk about 1MDB because they were more worried about bread-and-butter issues.

Kuala Muda branch member, who wished to known as Tok Aki, 55, said the people were unhappy about the rising cost of living.

“People grumble about the goods and services tax (GST) and the weekly oil prices that go up and down. The truth is, people just want solutions. 

“Leaders and politicians criticising each other are common and expected in politics. It is also impossible for a leader to be right all the time. Everyone has weaknesses,” he said.

However, he believed Najib, regardless of the baggage he carried, should be given the chance to lead come the 14th general election.

“He seems to be doing his job. I think he should be allowed to continue,” he said.

Hilmi Rashid from the Permatang Manggis branch said Najib had worked hard to tackle the rising cost of living and do right by the people.

“He is doing a good job, which is why he has support. Some people claim he doesn’t think about the people, but he does. He is looking into the issue from all angles,” he said.

Hilmi said the Malaysian economy was also doing well under Najib’s leadership, and the country was still recognised as a global hub for Islamic finance.

“People cannot simply say the economy is down and then blame Najib and 1MDB. 

“Yes, we may be getting less revenue from oil, but oil and commodity prices are subject to global demand. They go up and down.”

Hilmi said Najib had also seen to infrastructure upgrades and better welfare of civil servants and army veterans.

“PH will continue to say bad things, even nonsense. Umno has to fight against the negative perception and the confusion caused by the opposition… but we have ways to counter them,” he said.

Taman Sri Menerong branch member Eliza Shaari said she supported Najib, who had done much for the Malays through Bumiputera-centric programmes.

Earlier this year, Najib announced the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Road map 2.0, aimed at boosting Bumiputera activity, competitiveness, social mobility, welfare and human capital. – July 24, 2017.