Dr Mahathir has not betrayed Umno, says Hishammuddin

Criticism by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad against Datuk Seri Najib Razak did not amount to an act of betrayal of Umno, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. "I have tweeted that sometimes, those who make allegations against the prime minister are constantly moving the goalpost and their allegations change with time. "But from a party’s perspective, it is not (betrayal)," Hishammuddin told reporters when asked about Dr Mahathir's calls for voters in Pekan to reject Najib in the coming elections. But continuing attacks by the retired statesman against Najib should stop as it could break up the party, he added. Najib is also Umno president. "This cannot continue and cannot be entertained because it can break us up, more so within the party," said the defence minister. Dr Mahathir has repeatedly called for Najib's resignation since last year, over certain government policies and the alleged financial mismanagement of his brainchild, 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Still highly respected among some quarters in Umno, he has even advocated working with Umno’s opponents to force Najib's resignation. Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the party was "monitoring" seven leaders for possibly disciplinary action. He declined to elaborate who the seven were. He added that while Dr Mahathir was entitled to his views about Najib, the media should also stop pitting leaders against each other. Hishammuddin, when asked today if disciplinary action should be taken against the former prime minister, said it was up to Umno. Hishammuddin also said he did not know who the seven leaders were whom Umno was monitoring, as claimed by Tengku Adnan. "No," he told reporters when asked if he knew who they were. But he added that such things were "normal" and were raised in the party's Supreme Council meetings. "Whatever is announced by the secretary-general will follow the due process within the party. In this matter, whatever is raised to the party leadership will be discussed with a decision made as to the course of action," Hishammuddin said. – October 6, 2015.