UMNO AGM Amidst Umno wings’ meeting today, the top two leaders Najib Abdul Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin are in a spat, while Najib also faces the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ controversy.

With this backdrop, the three wings’ heads have vowed to support the leadership of Najib.

Has the message passed on the delegates’ ears? Will the delegates have different opinion from party leaders on Muhyiddin’s attack on Najib?

Malaysiakini has interviewed eight delegates and members from Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri respectively, out of whom seven of them have thrown their support behind Najib.

Most interestingly, three Johor delegates also hold the same view of retaining Najib as top leader. Johor is the political base of Muhyiddin.

But on the question of whether to continud supporting Muhyiddin, there are different opinions. Some say Muhyiddin should stop firing salvos against his boss, while a few choose not to comment.

On the questions of 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion ‘donation’, most of them are satisfied with Najib’s explanation, while several had no comment. But there is a dissident party member who said Najib did not explain it well.

Umno Youth delegate Azrin Azman supports Najib’s leadership, while hoping the party top two could sit down and settle their differences.

“By representing the Umno supreme council, he (Najib) as president has made some right decision.

“Muhyiddin should have internal discussions with Najib, not publicly speak out.”

The Gopeng delegate also believed that Najib has no wrong over 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion controversy.

“An independent body has probed and 1MDB was not involved in abuses. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also clarified that the RM2.6 billion is not corruption. I believe Najib is innocent,” the 34-year-old Perak delegate added.

Agreeing with Azrin, Puchong Umno Youth delegate Abdullah Isa ( photo ) said Najib is sincerely resolving 1MDB’s problems.

He said to date, there is no evidence indicating that Najib had committed any wrongdoing in the RM2.6 billion controversy.

“(1MDB) is probing and on the trail, we are waiting for the outcome. No strong evidence against Najib,” the 31-year-old delegate said.

Abdullah also described the Najib-Muhyiddin conflict as a common family matter.

However, he said should the duo could not reconcile, Muhyiddin should go.

“If both are split, he (Muhyiddin) should leave. Party president (Najib) should stay,” added Abdullah, who hailed from Selangor.

Penang Umno Youth delegate Eddy Zulkipli Saaud ( photo ) concurred with Abdullah’s view.

“We Umno Youth hope both could restore relationship. But if it were really unfortunate that (Muhyiddin) does not support the party president and threatens party stability, Umno Youth will ask Muhyiddin to resign.”

The Kepala Batas delegate also said they are backing Najib.

‘1MDB helps the public’

On 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion controversies, Eddy opined that 1MDB helps the public, while Najib has explained appropriately on the latter.

However, a Kuala Lumpur Umno member, Zura Mohamed, disagreed with Eddy, saying that Najib did not answer the questions related to 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion.

“I don’t think he (Najib) explained 1MDB well, you know. He also didn’t on the RM2.6 billion,” the Bukit Bintang Umno division observer said.

Zura also thinks that the disagreement between Najib and Muhyiddin does no good for the party.

“I hope both of them could have a better relationship like previously,” she said, but did not want to comment which side she supports.

Both Johor Umno Wanita delegates Rokiah Hassan and Haryati Ismail also back Najib’s leadership.

Rokiah, who hails from Johor Baru, said the Najib-Muhyiddin quarrel is a norm in any political party.

“The prime minister could resolve (the quarrel). No problem on Najib’s leadership.

“Muhyiddin as a Malay, he won’t want to destroy his party,” the 61-year-old veteran added.

She said the Najib and Muhyiddin duo should continue to lead the Malay party.

Rokiah also opined that 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion are distractions by the opposition to split Umno.

“We have full confidence in Najib, otherwise how could we support him?”

Haryati, who is the assistant secretary of Pasir Gudang Umno Wanita, chose not to comment on Najib’s controversies.

However, she said Umno Wanita support Najib.

“We unanimously support the party president. As long as he is the leader, we follow.

“Even the Wanita chief also expressed her support for Najib.”