Najib Reiterates Support For Abdullah - Bernama

PEKAN, March 22 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today reiterated his support for Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and said both of them were working hard to rebuild Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) following the general election.

The deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president said all Umno members should focus on the efforts to galvanise Umno instead of getting carried away with the forthcoming party elections.

"Datuk Seri President and I are working hard to rebuild the party and for that we need unity within the party and the total commitment of all members. They should not get carried away with the (coming) party elections," he told reporters after presenting aid to flood victims in the Pekan district, here.

He responded thus when asked to comment on the offer by Gua Musang Umno Division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to be considered for the post of president at the Umno General Assembly to be held later this year.

Najib said: "In our (party) system, anyone can offer himself or herself for any position. However, the offer must be made through the proper channel and in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution.

"For me, as the (Umno) deputy president, I support Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the party president."

Asked about many quarters regarding Tengku Razaleigh's offer as inappropriate at a time when Umno was rebuilding itself, Najib said: "It is up to the members to make an evaluation. As for me, I support Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the party president. Of importance now is for us to focus on strengthening the party after the general election."

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