At a press conference today, the Umno veterans said no party could last if its struggles revolved only around toppling a person, which in this case is Prime Minister Najib Razak.

“Say I start a new party to contest with the aim of toppling Najib? What kind of struggle is that?” questioned Mubarak President Abdul Aziz Rahman at the press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre.

“Struggles must be based on ideologies and philosophies,” he said, adding that if the struggle was to topple someone, it would only be a short-term struggle.

Abdul Aziz, who was commenting on the new party to challenge Barisan Nasional and with the avowed aim of burying the ruling party in GE14, said Mubarak would not feel threatened with the new party, which is expected to draw some former Umno leaders.

Speculation is rife that former Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin, former Vice-President Shafie Apdal and former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir will join the party.

“We are not threatened and we do not see this as a serious issue in GE14.

“As long as the government can carry out its manifesto with its budget and help the people, God willing, the people will make their choice in GE14.”