UMNO AGM This year’s Umno annual general assembly has thus far been a straightforward affair especially with the absence of Umno president Najib Abdul Razak’s critics former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin.

There is simply no necessity for Umno members and leaders alike to mince their words anymore.

And delegates speaking today made it clear that Najib has their full support, either starting or ending their speeches announcing their support for Najib’s leadership.

Kedah delegate Othman Abdul questioned why those who were jealous of Najib who had hurled various accusations against him.

But despite the insults thrown against Najib, Othman noted that the former usually kept mum about it.

“He doesn’t insult people. He always smiles, with that sweet smile of his,” he added.

Hitting out at Mahathir, Othman reminded the delegates that Mahathir had told Umno to fight DAP, the latter’s veteran Lim Kit Siang and to avoid joining street rallies.

“DAP, Lim Kit Siang and the yellow shirts (Bersih) have not changed, the one who has changed is only Mahathir.

“Mahathir doesn’t love us any more, he is willing to be with DAP, with Lim whom he accused of being racist and he has joined the yellow shirts and even wore a yellow shirt. Oh Allah, please open his heart,” prayed Othman.

He also said it was important to know the extent of one’s loyalty - one must be loyal as long as the leader does not invite one to commit sins.

“I don’t see our leaders inviting us to commit sins,” he added.

Malacca delegate Mustafa Musa on the other hand said they were sympathetic of Najib who had been “backstabbed by both friend and foe”.

Mahathir, he said, did not lead the country for many years because he was great but it was rather due to the “greatness” of Umno members.

The 91-year-old, said Mustafa, was lucky because during his time all Umno members were like Najib - willing to sacrifice their lives.

“Najib was unlucky because some Umno members are like Mahathir.”

Offering a word of advice, Mustafa cautioned Najib in choosing his allies.

“Don’t choose friends who will hurt you. Be careful in choosing friends so that you won’t get hurt again,” he said.

Apart from the display of support and loyalty to Najib and the criticisms against Mahathir, the delegates also spoke of their opposition against foreign intervention into the country’s affairs.

Mustafa urged that such meddling be rejected - be it through leadership or funds.

“This is our house, our party, let us make the decisions.

“I am not willing for the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) to be destroyed by vagrants,” he stressed.

Wanita Umno delegate Norhayati Omar pointed out how some who were no longer with Umno are now in cahoots with “enemies”.

She cited Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah who (she claimed) had received funds from the George Soros backed-Open Society Foundations (OSF).

“We want to urge the government, the Home Ministry, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Bank Negara to conduct investigations into the funds channeled into Bersih.

Puteri Umno delegate Hazrene Begum Mohd Husin also stressed that any foreign intervention must be condemned.

“We all know who Soros is, right?” she asked the Umno delegates present in the hall.

Despite the accusations, Maria has denied having received funds from any foundation linked to Soros.

In the opening speeches of the respective wings’ chiefs yesterday, Soros, the threat of Bersih and Mahathir were similarly highlighted.

The tone was set on the first day of the annual general assembly itself by de facto party number two Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.