I Will Continue To Discuss Umno Leadership Transition With Party President - Najib - Bernama

From Abdul Muin Abdul Majid

SHARM-EL-SHEIKH (Egypt), May 19 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he would continue to discuss with Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on efforts to strengthen the party and the issue of Umno's leadership transition, which had been touched on by Abdullah himself.

The Umno deputy president said he hoped all Umno members would remain calm following former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's sudden decision to quit Umno on Monday and urged them to have faith in the current leadership to reform the party.

Najib, who is also the chairman of Umno's management committe, said he had contacted Abdullah himself and several other leaders over the matter.

Speaking to Malaysian journalists covering his attendance at the World Economic Forum for the Middle East here, he said he was shocked and saddened by the decision by Dr Mahathir.

"Tun Dr Mahathir's contributions to Umno and the country are immeasurable," he said.

Dr Mahathir, who joined Umno in 1946, announced the quit decision at a political function in Alor Star.

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