Najib's speech tells of Umno's nightmare

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Najib Tun Razak's speech at the party general assembly has “clearly spelt” out the party's fears, said PAS information chief Idris Ahmad.

"Najib's speech puts on record the fear gripping Umno leaders,” he said.

Yesterday, Najib said in his presidential adress that “even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost, brothers and sisters, whatever happens, we must defend Putrajaya”. (Walau berkecai tulang dan juga badan, walam bercerai jasad dari nyawa. Saudara saudari, walau apa pun yang terjadi, Putrajaya mesti kita pertahankan.)

"They are already picturing what will happen to their luxury houses, cars and businesses if Umno loses in the 13th general election.

"It's not about democracy and people's choice... it's fear and their nightmare," Idris said, adding that Umno must realise that Malaysia is not its ancestral property.

Main worry

Idris said Umno leaders were not afraid of the people and were least concerned about Malay rights and whether people have food to eat.

"They are used to power... now their main worry is themselves. Losing in the next election would be their nightmare!”

"PAS' hope is that Umno leaders learn to accept loss and failure, because in a democratic country, there are times when you are up and times when you're down," he said.

Idris also voiced his concern about what BN might do in the event it loses at the general election.

"I am wondering what Najib meant when he said “...walau apa pun yang terjadi, Putrajaya mesti kita pertahankan!”

“What happens if BN does not get the majority? Does that mean they will not surrender (administrative) power?”

“What kind of democracy is that?" he asked, adding that in the past Umno had used dirty tactics to win polls and in the case of Perak, post-2008, it had gone against the people's wishes and made a mockery of the polls results.

Citing Kelantan, Idris said PAS-ruled Kelantan in 1959 then lost it to BN in 1978.

"We surrendered power to Umno... we did not cling to it. PAS got re-elected and we returned to rule in 1990 until today.

"We have had similar experiences in Terengganu. Although at that time emotions among PAS supporters were running high and defeat was difficult to accept, the wisdom of PAS leaders calmed the supporters and we accepted the rakyat's democratic decision.

"Umno leaders must learn from PAS to respect democracy in the country," he said.

23/10/10