‘Mutiny in Umno’: MIC must back Najib

MIC's S Vell Paari says if it is true that there is an attempt to topple Najib, then MIC must back the prime minister.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC should reconsider its position in Barisan Nasional if Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is toppled from power by certain forces within Umno, said party Central Working Committee (CWC) member S Vell Paari.

In a news report published in Tamil Nesan yesterday, he said there was intense speculation that Najib is facing a challenge in Umno.

If there is any truth to the speculation, Vell Paari urged MIC to defend Najib.

“He is the best prime minister we have in terms of catering for the Indian community, so we must stand by him.

“We don’t know if the rumour is true but MIC must protect Najib against those who are working against the prime minister,” he added.

Vell Paari, who raised the matter during the MIC CWC meeting yesterday, said that it was his personal opinion.

“This is my own opinion. It is up to the party leadership and CWC members to accept my opinion or not,” he added.

Although Umno’s top leadership denied the existence of any rifts, insiders claim that the party is split between two camps, the other led by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Speculation is also rife that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is backing Muhyiddin in order to boost his son Mukhriz’s political fortunes.

Mahathir has denied this, accusing those behind the speculation of attempting to destroy Umno by sowing suspicion among its leaders.