Najib To Test Loyalty Of Umno Members

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Wednesday night he will soon be testing the loyalty of Umno members to the party.

Linking loyalty to the reaction of members to the selection of candidates in the coming general election, the Prime Minister and Umno president said:

"Are we sufficiently loyal to the party? Will we remain loyal if we are not selected as a candidate? Really? Loyal? Do you truly give the mandate to choose to the top leadership. Thank you. I will test you when the time comes."

Speaking at the 65th anniversary celebration of Umno at the Putra World Trade Centre here, he said:" Let us have no one sulking and going overseas if not chosen as a candidate for the election."

About 3,000 Umno leaders of various levels filled Dewan Merdeka and responded loudly to the questions that Najib posed in his speech.

Also present were the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib invited all members of Umno to vow to serve the people with full dedication.

He also urged members to discard factionalism to ensure that Umno was united and strong.

If Umno were united and the Malays identified completely with it, the party would be very strong, he said.

He did not want Umno to be like some parties which he said were once successful but were now no more.

Najib said that Umno had the strength to transform and advance the country and it continued to be held in high esteem by the people.