Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal has denied claims that he took a cautious approach on matters that dealt with the party’s leadership in order to avoid being sacked from his position.

Instead, Shafie stressed that if the claims were true, he would not have been dropped as rural and regional development minister.

“If I had taken a cautious approach, I would not have been dropped from cabinet. You were not in the meeting so you would not have known what I said,” Shafie told reporters after attending a meet-and-greet session at Kampung Bukit Lanchong, Shah Alam, last night.

Shafie also said he is not worried about being sacked.

“Why should I be worried? I am not worried... don’t worry so much,” said the Semporna MP when asked for further comments.

Shafie, however, revealed that what worried him more was the fact that Umno is losing power.

“My fear is when we (Umno) lose power. I am not scared to lose my position because that is normal.

“What I fear is that when Umno loses power, the burden would be heavier. If I lose my position it is okay because I am the only one feeling it, but if power is lost, then everyone will feel it,” he said.

Shafie said he had worked tirelessly to campaign in Selangor during the last general elections but Umno and BN still failed to gain support of voters in the state.

In fact, Shafie said the same had happened in Sabah, resulting in the change of four state governments.

“There have been four state governments in Sabah and it is not an easy situation. Once you gain power, take care of it well because power does not come from the top, it comes from the bottom, the grassroots.

“So listen to the voices and plights of the people. Don’t ignore them. That's what is important,” he stressed.

Mahathir a visionary

Asked for comments on the Citizens' Declaration to oust prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, Shafie described former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - who drafted the original document - as being a visionary.

“The old man (Mahathir) is someone who is far sighted. It is not that Mahathir is supporting (DAP stalwart Lim) Kit Siang but he is opening the eyes of the world.

“Kit Siang is the one supporting him. That is why he (Mahathir) did not join the opposition (parties),” said Shafie who claimed that Lim will continue to support Mahathir until the next general election.

In fact, Shafie said that Mahathir ( photo ) had gone through all the due process to criticise Najib, before now pushing for his resignation.

“Mahathir will advise and criticise just like what happened to Pak Lah (former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi). He will meet them at home to advice and inform, ‘this and that’ is not right,” he added.

This, Shafie said, include matters close to Mahathir’s heart, particularly the issue of state-owned fund 1MDB that deals directly with the rakyat’s confidence.

He also added that the Citizens’ Declaration is not about Mahathir or Umno, but rather a document for all that transcends political ideology.

“Imagine if Mahathir successfully drove a lorry to the palace. Come GE-14, Kit Siang will have nothing to make noise about,” he added.

Mahathir, who urged people to sign the Citizens’ Declaration without any fear, had said he would even drive a lorry to the palace and deliver the signed documents to show the rakyat’s unhappiness towards Najib.

The Save Malaysia Movement to oust Najib yesterday held a gathering at the Shah Alam Convention Centre, with 19 speakers who spoke on reasons that Najib must go, before 1,200 invited guests.