Prime Minister Najib Razak has urged Umno and BN members to stay loyal to the party's struggles and not overly pursue posts for the development of the Land Below the Wind.

He said sincere and loyal leaders should be the choice of the people as in Islamic principles and the way of the Prophet.

"The Prophet had given the foundation that in order to pick or appoint a leader, it should not be someone who is crazy for position... do not be too eager... do not crave for position.

"The Prophet did not appoint someone who wants the post. If indeed, we want something, we cannot follow our desires and emotions," he said in his speech at a breaking of the fast with the people at SMK Bongawan 11 in Kimanis, located about 85km from Kota Kinabalu today.

More than 1,000 residents of various races attended the function which was also attended by Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Najib recalled his late father, Abdul Razak Hussein's reminder which was still relevant: If you want to be a leader and want your leadership to be blessed by God, liked and accepted by the people, you must be honest and sincere.

The Umno president expressed confidence that only the party and BN were capable of realising Sabah's potential to continue to be progressive.

Defection a slight hiccup

He was also confident, the coalition, through its great leadership line-up, would not be shaken although it had a slight hiccup after several leaders jumped ship.

"It is normal for water in a teacup to ripple a bit... fun though, to have a little bit of shake but I am confident we will still be able to defend Sabah under the leadership of Musa and his line-up," he said.

Najib said every Muslim should take advantage of Ramadan to perform the jihad to fight their desires and be sincere, which were important in the fight to look after the lot of the people.

"According to the history of Umno, a party will continue to lead with leaders who are honest and sincere and stand strongly behind the party.

“We see how Datuk Onn Jaafar who left the party and did not get any support, but later, his son (Tun Hussain Onn) who was in Umno, could become the prime minister," he noted.

During the function, the prime minister also approved the construction of a new Kimanis district mosque.

According to Najib, the government would also look into the expansion of the road from Kota Kinabalu to Sindumin next year.

He also handed out contributions to orphans, single mothers and Muslim converts.

Meanwhile, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi paid a courtesy call on Najib at the school.

- Bernama