UMNO does not need Dr Mahathir - PM Najib

The UMNO president said this was because UMNO's strength did not lie on any individual or the president, but it was due to unity among the party's three million members.

"Even when the late Datuk Onn Jaafar, the founder of UMNO left the party, UMNO was not buried just like that, the party continued to flourish until now, so when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed says he will not return to UMNO, go ahead ... it is not a problem for UMNO.

"I am not being disrespectful, I am not looking down at him as I am aware my strength now is due to the support of more than three million party members," he said.

Najib said this when opening Lipis UMNO's annual delegates conference at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah here today.

Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, who is also Pahang UMNO Liaison Committee chairman and the division's chief Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

He also rapped Dr Mahathir for often attacking him, especially in regards to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), saying Dr Mahathir himself had failed to administer so much so the country suffered billions of ringgit in losses.

"During his time, he was not bothered much about public transport. Everything had to be bailed out, LRT bailout, monorail bailout, bus bailout... all failed, but we succeeded in building an MRT system at a reasonable cost.

"It's not that I want to criticise, but I am speaking the truth. "We had to save his failed Proton venture by injecting RM1.5 billion plus another RM1.5 billion, MAS has suffered losses too, as well as Perwaja, Bakun and several others. He also lost RM33 billion due to foreign exchange (forex) trading, who will be responsible?

"He often talks about the 1MDB issue whereas we have land and assets that can attract investors and regain profit. However, for that RM33 billion, who will be responsible... Dr Mahathir? Explain it at the RCI (Royal Commission of Inquiry)," he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister once again stressed that changing the existing government was not a guarantee or the best solution to all problems, as it could also be detrimental to the nation and the people.

Najib said the people should take a lesson from the rise of the people in the Arab Springs that saw many Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq now in turmoil.

"Changing the government is not a solution, if it is better, then it makes sense ... if worse, more disaster and more uncertainties ... that's a stupid thing to do ... Sorry, have to say it.

"My doctor at the IJN (National Heart Institute) informed me about this Iraqi patient who when asked if it was better then or now, he said even that even under hated President Saddam Hussein, at least they had food on the table, children could go to school, and the country was safe.

"However, look at it now, all destroyed. Changing an existing government does not guarantee better governance," he said.

Najib said Malaysia had undergone several phases of development under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in both urban and rural areas with the implementation of high impact economic projects with the welfare of the people having always been a priority.

"Today, economists say Malaysia has managed to escape from the middle income-trap and is currently the 25th most competitive nation in the world. Our nation's economic growth is also projected to reach the five per cent level (this year).

"Malaysia is not a failed country, why change the government if the existing government can help the people and develop the country," he said.