Najib Razak explains what he meant by 'cooperation with political enemies'

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, today explained the actual meaning of his statement on "cooperation with political enemies" that it can be done if it suits the party and the interests of the country.

In his latest Facebook post, the Pekan Member of Parliament said he took the example of the action taken by his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in 1973 by founding Barisan Nasional (BN) and allowing the entry of UMNO’s 'enemies' at the time - Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, PPP (People's Progressive Party) and also PAS.

According to Najib, Abdul Razak's thoughts at that time were about the most important agenda, namely stability in the country to restore the country.

"From this (event), I was taught that politics is dynamic and we must always study what steps can be accepted by our members that are most suitable for the party and the interests of the country," said the former UMNO president and BN chairman.

Reflecting on past history, Najib said, anyone in 2017 will have less confidence that PAS which was then a political enemy will be together with UMNO and form the Muafakat Nasional in 2018.

In fact, he explained, anyone at the end of 2019 will also have less confidence the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) that UMNO contested against in the Tanjung Piai and Kimanis by-elections (PRK), will eventually form a new government together in February 2020.

“It also became a reality because UMNO and BN members agreed to work with PPBM at that time (but now rejected by the majority of members).

"So, what steps to work together and who do we want to conspire (with) must be agreed and accepted by the majority of UMNO-BN members and leaders and should be studied for the future of the party and also for the benefit of race, religion and country," he said.

Najib reiterated that any step that involves the party's policy and direction, should be based on the condition that it must be accepted by UMNO leaders and grassroots.

Apart from that, he added, if it is accepted, the cooperation should be based on sincerity and have trust among them.

“If the majority of party members agree to work with Tun (Dr) Mahathir (protem chairman of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or Mat Sabu (President of Parti Amanah Negara), or Shafie Apdal (President of Parti Warisan Sabah), we will explore.

"If the majority of party members object to us working with Anwar Ibrahim, or DAP, or Shafie Apdal, we will not continue.

"‘Explore all options and think out of the box’ said the white man," he added.