SHAH ALAM: Former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is still with Umno, says the party’s former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Rumours had surfaced after pictures of Hishammuddin on holiday in Morocco with PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and both their families last month went viral.
Najib said he had spoken to Hishammuddin and the Sembrong member of parliament had affirmed that he would remain in Umno.
“I would like to say that a few days ago, Datuk Hishammuddin told me that he will be with Umno.
”The pictures of him vacationing with Azmin Ali had resulted in all sorts of interpretation.
“I had asked him to be frank and he said he stays in Umno.
“My advice to him was to love Umno because it is our flesh and blood.
“We cannot do something that can destroy Umno.
“So that is his admission to me,” he said during the Santai Bersama Datuk Seri Najib, PM Ke-6, programme at the Umno Shah Alam building today.
He was responding to questions from Umno members.
Asked what had caused Umno leaders, especially MPs to leave the party, Najib said the question should be directed to those involved.
Labelling the former Umno leaders as “frogs”, Najib said he was dissapointed with them.
“I gave all sorts of assistance to them, but when we were defeated, they lost the spirit of friendship and the spirit to love the party.
“The loyal ones are you, ladies and gentleman. The strange thing is all of you are loyal even though you don’t get anything from the party.
“But, those who had gained all the goodies are the ones who betrayed the party.
“I felt heavy-hearted to accept (what had happened), but what can I do as they have made their decision.
“There is a saying that goes, when we win friends will come looking for us, but when we are down, we will know who our friends are.
“But, it is okay. We accept that these frogs had jumped party,” he said.