Umno members should defend PM against attacks by opposition, says Ismail Sabri

Political attacks made against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman should be countered by party members at all levels, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the challenge facing Umno now was tough as the party was not only being attacked from outside, but also from within.

“Umno today is facing a tough challenge. What is happening today, not only the opposition, (Umno) members themselves have a leadership crisis.

“We attack each other, attack the leaders, question the president, no one seems to talk about the opposition, Umno’s enemy is the opposition,” he said when opening the Besut Umno division delegates meeting here Friday.

Ismail Sabri said the opposition was also weak and facing various issues which should be used by Umno to further strengthen the party in preparation for the coming general election.

The Rural and Regional Development Minister said the issue on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6bil donation had been intentionally raised by the opposition and the foreign media to weaken the country’s leadership.

Umno members, he said, should not feel weal and be threatened by that, but to given their full support and trust to Najib to continue to helm the country.

“These (issues) are nonsense stories to tarnish the image of the prime minister,” he added.