DAP is deliberately politicising the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue ahead of the Umno annual general assembly next week, said an Umno division leader.

According to Syed Ali Alhabshee, this is part of a "vile scheme" to tarnish Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's reputation.

Syed Ali likened the attempt to a "fine needle to destroy Umno", where the strategy is to provoke and influence Umno delegates.

"The opposition has made slanderous claims that 1MDB is related to Najib. These are nefarious and baseless allegations.

"The government has explained the 1MDB matter in Parliament, there has been no wrongdoing," he added in a blog posting today.

Training his guns on DAP MP Teresa Kok ( right ) for asking Umno delegates to debate the debt-ridden state investment arm, Syed Ali cautioned his party colleagues not to fall into this trap.

The Cheras Umno division chief claimed that the Seputeh lawmaker made this suggestion because DAP has an "agenda to ruin Malay unity".

In view of this, he dismissed the need for Umno delegates to raise the 1MDB matter during the meet.

"I hope Umno delegates will be more rational and realistic," Syed Ali said, adding that there were other resolutions to be focused on which concerned the interests of Umno and the Malays.

As for Kok, he said the DAP MP must not meddle in Umno’s affairs and should instead cleanse her party, which is "replete with racism".

Apart from the opposition, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also panned the 1MDB, which is Najib’s brainchild.

However, asked if the matter should be debated at the Umno meet, Mahathir and party Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin chose not to answer .

Syed Ali also recalled how Kok had "insulted the position of Malays and Muslims" prior to this.

"The Malays, especially Umno members, remember what she did, so there is no need (for her to make) absurd suggestions," he said.

Although Syed Ali did not state any particular incident, it is believed that he was referring to a Chinese New Year video produced by Kok, which led her to be charged under the Sedition Act.

The Umno leader also accused DAP of harping on the 1MDB issue to distract public attention from its spat with PAS.

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