Umno Supreme Council member Bung Mokhtar Radin said he was puzzled by the act of certain Umno rebels who declared their undying love for their party yet were openly defying party President and Prime Minister Najib Razak.

“There are some Umno leaders who have deviated from Umno’s real cause. It’s very confusing for the grassroots to see them saying how much they love the party in the same speech where they are calling for the ouster of their president.

“The strength of a party lies in the strength of its leader, and that is why the majority of Umno members are firmly behind their president,” said Bung when contacted by FMT.

He said the call for Najib’s resignation made by both the Opposition and Umno rebels during the People’s Congress yesterday was “irrelevant”, and ran contrary to the system practised in Malaysia.

“The gathering was meant to merely satisfy the aspirations of certain desperate individuals. God willing, Umno and BN will gain strength from this wild attempt.

“Just wait for the next general election where different parties can compete with one another. The best man will win.”

MCA Central Committee member Ti Lian Ker echoed Bung’s views.

“Mukhriz (Mahathir) is still talking about Umno and Umno blood in his veins. He claims that he is still donning the Umno shirt. Lim Kit Siang is saying that Umno must be destroyed to save Malaysia,” Ti said, drawing attention to the former Kedah menteri besar’s open declaration of loyalty towards Umno while sharing the stage with the DAP leader.

“If we don’t call this a mockery or a political gimmick, then what else should we call it?”

The People’s Congress was attended by over 1,000 people who gathered at the Shah Alam Convention Centre, demanding Najib’s resignation.

Among the other speakers at the historic event were former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, suspended Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin, and PKR Deputy President Azmin Ali.