(Nov 24): Umno’s general assembly next month will set the stage for a clash between two camps in the ruling Malay party, one loyal to president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the other backing his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is critical of the former’s alleged involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) controversy.

Najib is still in “hanging on” mode while Muhyiddin regularly raises issues that are a thorn in the party’s side – scandals surrounding 1MDB which is owned by the Finance Ministry, and the RM2.6 billion “donation” channelled into the prime minister’s personal bank accounts.

Najib is also the finance minister and chairman of 1MDB’s advisory board. Critics deemed his explanations on both issues unsatisfactory, and the prime minister himself is due to be questioned by the anti-corruption agency before year-end.

“This assembly will see a heated clash between Najib’s camp and Muhyiddin’s camp,” former Umno Keliang, Hulu Selangor branch Youth chief Moohamad Faizal Abdul Raub told The Malaysian Insider.

“It will be a platform for both camps to defend their bosses.”

No motions calling for Najib’s resignation will be raised at the coming assembly, which runs from December 8 to 12 at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. But although Najib appears to have the support of the majority of the division leaders, the grassroots at branch level are still rebelling.

Umno Kota Raja division vice-chief Mohd Hamidi Abu Bakar said this assembly would be different from previous ones as representatives and Umno members were eagerly waiting for explanations from their leaders about the party’s current turmoil, brought about by 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion “donation”.

“Many are waiting and are impatient to hear the speeches from leaders. Many observers are expected this time.

“This is all because of the current situation and internal strife happening in the party,” Hamidi told The Malaysian Insider.

The statements from several Umno branches lately have shown that some divisions are finding it difficult to control members unhappy with Najib.

These statements have encompassed criticism of Najib’s leadership, his “liability” to the party, and prognosis of a dim future for the party if he continues to lead.

“The people want a transition, when they feel something is no longer relevant, it should be replaced,” said Umno Rista Villa Perdana division chief Rushdan Mohamed, who is one of those calling for Najib to step down.

He said the split in Umno could not be avoided any more and if it continued, Najib could see worse things happening, such as sabotage by members not satisfied with the leadership.

“We cannot avoid a split in the party and as well as sabotage.”

Echoing Rushdan’s sentiments, Ramli Yunus, a party activist from Pokok Sena, said Umno was split from the bottom, with members now finding it difficult to defend their party president.

“It is split. We can’t do anything about it.

“We, the ones at the grassroots, used to defend Najib, but now, we are vocal in going against him,” he said.

Some leaders blame Muhyiddin for the split because of his criticism of Najib and questioning of the RM2.6 billion donation, which remains unaccounted for.

Other Umno leaders have attempted to explain these controversies, but Muhyiddin’s statements are deliberately creating a negative image of Najib, they say.

“It is Muhyiddin’s hope that there will be a commotion in the Umno general assembly this time,” Umno Sungai Besar division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos has said. – The Malaysian Insider