UMNO Veterans are hurt over the action of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in conspiring with the opposition merely to realise his aspiration to oust Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, said Malaysia UMNO Veterans chairman Tan Sri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

He said it was extremely difficult for UMNO veterans to accept this with open hearts because the famous statesman was willing to sacrifice his dignity to conspire with parties who had been his enemy all these while.

"Our love and respect for Tun Mahathir now is shattered. With a very heavy feeling in my heart, I utter this statement "sorry sir, it's not that we love you less, but we love UMNO much more," he said at a gathering of Perak UMNO Veterans at the Perak Menteri Besar's official residence here today.

At the first ever such gathering held in this country, about 1,000 Perak UMNO veterans declared their undivided support and loyalty to Najib as the Prime Minister and UMNO President.

Also present were Perak Menteri Besar and Perak UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Perak UMNO Veteran Association chairman Datuk Abdul Khalid Mohd Nasir.

Mohd Tajol said what was worrying to the UMNO veterans was that, although it was Najib who was being attacked, they feared that it could result in the collapse of UMNO.

"Out of concern, UMNO veterans took the initiative to hold this assembly to try to unravel the confusions arising from the attempts by Tun Mahathir to oust Najib via an approach which is clearly undemocratic.

"Regardless of his rights as a citizen, our rights as members of UMNO who love the party, should not be used as a political pawn to satisfy the political whim of any party whose "drum and dance: are no longer in tune with the soul and spirit of UMNO, "he said.

He said the taste and style of leadership may change according to the season but the continuity of UMNO must be defended by all means.

He said that during the 22 years of Dr Mahathir's leadership of UMNO, he also had to go through some bitter tests but UMNO members remained faithful and obedient to the leader.

"At that time, the veterans also suffered several worrying moments and events including a very intense power struggle in 1987 and a bitter episode when UMNO was banned.

"The economic recession and a debilitating financial crisis in 1997, political crisis as a result of the removal of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from UMNO and also Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister," he said.

The nature of loyalty to the leadership and willingness to serve the common interest, had saved UMNO and ensured the continuity of the party, he said.

However, he believed that veterans knew the pros and cons of Tun Mahathir's action as they had been together with him when he headed UMNO for 22 years.

Meanwhile, Zambry, when met by reporters, also expressed his appreciation to the UMNO veterans who still supported the party when it was going through a test at this point.

"With the support shown today, I believe that the strength of UMNO in Perak is the best example of giving priority to the party.

"Therefore, we rarely hear of problems in Perak involving state or divisional crises because we always prioritise unity among party members and leaders," he said.

Meanwhile, in GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia UMNO Veterans secretary-general Datuk Mustapha Yaakub said Dr Mahathir should stop attacking national leaders especially the UMNO leadership because it would only be a loss to the Malays and party.

He said the group also opposed any effort to oust Najib, undemocratically and that 800,000 UMNO veterans would continue to defend the party from being destroyed.