PRIME Minister Najib Razak has reminded Malays to ready themselves to face Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who plans on destroying Umno.

The party president said all he had been doing was to continue the legacy of his predecessors, including the former prime minister.

“It is not the job of former leaders to wipe out what has been built throughout all this time,” he said after officiating at the Langkawi Umno division meeting today.

“Such a leader once said – and I still remember it – ‘I do not forget easily’. The leader said, ‘If we do not hold positions of power, we should support the newcomers, because when we are leaders, others support us’,” said Najib, referring to Dr Mahathir, to cheers and chants of “He forgets easily”.

Langkawi is considered to be Dr Mahathir’s stronghold given his many contributions to develope the island while he was prime minister.

Najib’s presence on the island is seen as being part of efforts to halt the progress of opposition party Bersatu, chaired by Dr Mahathir, there.

The prime minister said even if Umno members disagreed with the party’s leadership, they should not resort to destroying the party.

“Umno is a sacred (‘keramat’) party for Malays,” he said, to cheers from the crowd.

“I’m strong, because of what? It is not me, but because Umno is behind me.”

Najib said history had shown that past leaders who left Umno did not succeed.

“Did Onn Jaffar become stronger when he left Umno to start Parti Negara?

“History has shown that past leaders who left Umno end up realising that they’re not strong, but the support of Umno members had made them strong.”

He praised Langkawi Umno for standing firm despite the crises faced by the party triggered by the formation of the opposition pact.

“We need to love our country for the future our children. We also need to show our devotion to TN50, and we hope that it will put Malaysia on the world stage.” – August 19, 2017.