Najib: 'I can defend myself'

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 10): Former Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said UMNO does not need to defend him against the slanders made against him as he can defend himself.

In a Facebook post last night, he said, "Through a fair trial, I'm sure I can defend myself. I'm also surely not guilty of all the charges made against me. My mistake is only that I did my best for the people, my country and my party."

He added that all charges and slander are against him and not UMNO, so it's not fair for UMNO to bear this burden.

"As a successful party leading Malaysia almost to an advanced economy and having enjoyed peace and security since Merdeka, UMNO's services to the country cannot be denied. The party's fight is also good. On that basis, I will continue to be a loyal UMNO member and ready to offer help if the party needs it.

"I'm also still a divisional chief of UMNO and a Member of Parliament. I also have experience and knowledge about what happened in the previous Government.

"Therefore, I will continue to speak on any issues that affect the people and this country. I have the right to use the freedom of speech and the right to defend myself if any charges are made against me or the previous BN Government," he said.

He added that he campaigned for Umno candidate Lokman Adam during the recent Sg Kandis by-election as he was only fulfilling Lokman's wish for him to help out in the campaigning.

"I don't have any desire to be president of UMNO anymore. The new UMNO leadership needs to be given trust and space to prove their leadership to gain the trust of the people.

"As Prime Minister and President of BN previously, I became the target of the opponents who made various attacks against me," he said. — theedgemarkets.com

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