Embattled Malaysia PM slams traitors

PM Najib Razak defiantly rejected calls to step down over a political funding scandal, vowing not to give in to “traitors”.

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday defiantly rejected calls to step down over a political funding scandal as the ruling party doubled down on its support for him in the face of an uncertain electoral outlook.

Najib vowed not to give in to “traitors” seeking his removal, as he addressed the annual assembly of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the most closely watched in years for signs of any revolt against the party leader.

“Even though there are traitors, and no matter how many times we are pushed to the ground, there shall be no retreat, no surrender,” Najib told the assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

“No retreat! No surrender!” he repeated forcefully, in a speech that drew a standing ovation from the more than 2 000 delegates clad in the party's red colours.

Najib's troubles have raised new questions over whether UMNO - which has ruled since independence 58 years ago but faces steadily declining support - can survive the next elections, due by 2018, with his brand now tainted.

It was revealed in July that Najib received nearly $700 million in what the government has called “political donations.” Najib has resisted calls to explain the money's source and purpose.

The discovery came just as he was battling separate allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars were missing from deals involving a state firm he launched, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Najib, 62, made only passing reference to the affair in his speech, saying he had briefed party leaders on the matter. He offered no new details.

Malaysia's anti-graft agency said it interviewed Najib last week over the allegations, but it also gave no details.

Both Najib and 1MDB vehemently deny any wrongdoing, but vocal critics including former strongman premier Mahathir Mohamad say Najib has abused his office to cow whistle-blowers and hobble investigations, and should face a criminal probe.

On Monday, party vice president Muhyiddin Yassin, whom Najib sacked as deputy prime minister in July for demanding answers in the scandal, urged the premier to leave office until investigations are completed.

But the anti-Najib grumbling has failed to gain traction in a party whose detractors say is built on patronage and money politics.

“In light of the challenges, no matter how big, I will not at all surrender,” Najib told the assembly, vowing to “continue to lead UMNO towards victory”.

As party president, Najib commands solid support from UMNO power-brokers nationwide, and party leaders have rallied behind him in speeches this week.

“We are solidly with the prime minister. We will continue to remain steadfast with him,” said Jehan Ongkomon, an UMNO delegate from a rural constituency, echoing many delegates interviewed by AFP.

He said the rural, mostly ethnic Malay voters who are UMNO's bedrock care more about the party's support for their interests than about the accusations Najib faces.

The Muslim, ethnic Malay party has dominated multi-cultural Malaysia through coalition governments for decades, enshrining policies that favour the Malay majority.

But the large ethnic Chinese minority and a new generation of Malay and urban voters have increasingly flocked to the opposition in disgust over racial politics and persistent accusations of corruption and democratic abuses.

The opposition won a majority of votes cast in 2013 parliamentary elections, but Najib's coalition retained power thanks to seat allocations that favour its rural strongholds.

Since the election, scores of opposition politicians and other government critics have been targeted with accusations of sedition and other charges.

Analysts say Najib faces a major challenge in the next polls, but add the ruling coalition retains significant advantages through its control of government machinery and funding, as well as the planned redrawing of some voting districts that is expected to bolster its hold on parliament.

AFP