UMNO assembly ends on unity note

The UMNO general assembly took a dramatic turn when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak extended an olive branch to his estranged deputy in the party, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Cheered on by the delegates who had anticipated a gesture of reconciliation between the two as well as with vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, the Prime Minister declared: "Taking cognisance of the teachings of Islam .. I, Najib Razak, as UMNO president, choose to be big hearted."

As the roar of approval filled the hall, he went on: "I choose to be big hearted and extend the hand of friendship so that all can be united and come back to strengthen the bonds within the party."

At this juncture, all on stage stood up to applaud Najib except Muhyiddin, who remained seated.

Najib stressed that "if there are those who reject (this gesture) and want the conflict to continue, this will no longer be a personal matter".

"(It would mean that) they do not oppose Najib Razak, the party president, but clearly reject the opportunity for reconciliation and the collective decision of the party," he said.

Najib said that enmity in the party would "only benefit others".

He once again expressed his resolve to lead UMNO and keep the party colours flying even if he were to "be burned by slander" or lose his limbs.

Intoning what has now become his battle cry, "there will be no retreat, no surrender", he walked over to extend his hand to Muhyiddin.

The former deputy prime minister stood up to shake it.

Later, at a press conference lasting less than two minutes, Najib said no words were spoken when he and Muhyiddin shook hands.

He said it was the wish of the assembly that they reconciled.

"It was not me personally or as UMNO President. The assembly made the decision."

Many delegates had expressed a wish for a reconciliation, with Wanita UMNO taking the lead in asking the president, deputy president and vice-presidents to come together as a team to unify the party.

How far would the gesture today go towards healing the rift within the party?

Najib, when asked this, said: "Now, it's up to him. The message is clear. If you don't understand this message .. I do not know."