Mustapa: Dr M's declaration not returning to Umno not surprising

BALING: The declaration by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he will never return to Umno even if Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is no longer the prime minister is not surprising, said Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
He said the announcement by the former prime minister was expected as he had been continuously attacking the government and Najib.
"This is not surprising, what is important that is under any circumstances, Umno members must close ranks and be united.
"Today, there are very good signs for Umno and Datuk Seri Najib's leadership, and God willing, we are confident that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) will gain a major victory (in the general election)," he told reporters after opening Baling Umno Youth delegates conference here today.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir had declared that he would not return to Umno even if Najib was no longer the prime minister.
Mahathir made the declaration in a video clip which was uploaded on the Facebook page of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, of which he is chairman, claiming that Umno had been destroyed and had strayed from its core struggles.
Commenting on this, Mustapa, who is also the Minister of International Trade and Industry, said although Umno came under constant attack, what was important was for its members to be ready for the general election.
"We are just waiting for the whistle to be blown to go ahead," he said.
Meanwhile, Mustapa said his ministry would look at various aspects of making Baling the next industrial district after Kulim.
In his speech, Mustapa reminded the members that most of the nation's leaders, including Najib rose from Pemuda (Umno's youth wing) and described it as an important wing of Umno since it was the "factory" which produced leaders.
Also present were Baling Umno head Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and its Youth head Mohd Noor Mohd Amin.
In MARANG, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said Dr Mahathir’s refusal to come back to Umno should be welcomed as it was better for the party.
“After having been Prime Minister and Umno president for 22 years, the former prime minister’s action of attacking Umno now is disgraceful,” said the Education Minister.
He was speaking to reporters after opening Marang Umno women’s wing delegates meeting. — Bernama