Former MCA president Ling Liong Sik's call for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should resign, will only strengthen the PM further, cabinet minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan said.
The BN strategic communications director said Ling's quit call, in support of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's mission to oust Najib, is interference in Umno matters.
"In fact, I believe Ling Liong Sik's statement will further strengthen, not weaken, the PM's position in Umno. Watch and see!
"I believe Ling somehow underestimated the mood of Umno members. They aren't in the mood to see outsiders dictating who should be their leader!" Abdul Rahman said on Twitter.
I believe LLS somehow underestimated the mood of UMNO members. They aren't in the mood 2see outsiders dictating who shld be their leader!
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) October 3, 2015
Ling, a former federal minister, said: "I agree with Mahathir (that Najib should resign). Because he has taken people's money and put it in his own personal accounts."
MCA has, however, distanced itself from Ling's statement.
Najib is under fire after RM2.6 billion was found in his personal bank account, amid financial strife faced by state investment firm 1MDB.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into the RM2.6 billion is pending, but Najib said it is a political donation.
MACC preliminary findings show the funds originated from a middle eastern source.
Najib repeatedly said that he has never abused public funds.
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