Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) and Johor Umno have stated their full support to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to lead the party and government.

Johor BN chairperson and Johor Umno chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Johor BN and Umno could not accept the action of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in working with the opposition in coming up with a citizens' declaration to remove Najib as prime minister.

"From Johor BN and Umno's stand, we know the way to form a government is through the constitution which provides for elections, and there is no other means of changing or toppling a government other than through the process of elections.

"As such, we (Johor BN and Umno) cannot accept what has taken place and at the same time, we would like to state that Johor BN including Johor Umno will give their full support to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak," he said.

He told this to reporters after attending Johor Gerakan's Chinese New Year celebration which was attended by Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong in Johor Baru today.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir headed a group of more than 50 people including Lim Kit Siang of DAP and Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali of PKR in signing a declaration to support the removal of Najib as prime minister.

The signatories included former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, and former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik.

The Johor menteri besar said the action of Mahathir could also confuse the people as it showed that the constitution and system of election were not relevant, not respected and should not be defended.

He also expressed disappointment against several leaders who were involved with Mahathir when they should be defending the practice of democracy and the constitution.

"We cannot deny that the action of Dr Mahathir is not dangerous as the name 'people's declaration' means he (Dr Mahathir) will be seeking the support of prominent Malays to influence the people," he said.

According to Mohamed Khaled, BN and Umno should give serious attention to the action by Mahathir as it would not stop at just signing of the declaration yesterday.

- Bernama