Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak being greeted by Bongawan assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang on arrival for breaking of fast event at SMK Bongawan II, Kimanis yesterday.

KIMANIS: Leaders have been told to learn from the mistakes of others in the past.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said history of Umno showed that those who left the party would not last long in politics.

“Let’s take the late Datuk Onn Jaafar as an example. He left Umno and soon lost the support, but his son, (Tun Hussein Onn) who stayed in the party became the prime minister,” he said.

He was confident that Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno would continue to stand strong, and would not be affected despite the departure of some leaders.

“It is normal to have hiccups, and sometimes a little ‘shake’ can be fun, but I believe that Sabah will stay strong, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. BN and Umno need to stay in power because Sabah has the potential to grow,” he said.

Najib also expressed confidence in the strength of Sabah BN and Umno although faced with recent challenges, describing it as “something normal”.

“Sabah tidak goyang bah. Sabah tatap sokong BN. Kita yakin boleh pertahankan Sabah (Sabah will not be shaken. Sabah will continue to support BN. We believe we can defend Sabah),” he said in a strong Sabah accent.

He said Umno, which was set up in 1946, had undergone a lot of challenge.

“We have gone through pre-independence, the era where we fought against the Malayan Union and communists, we managed to bring independence to the nation, and faced confrontations.

“But we are still here, through thick and thin for 66 years. The economic crisis and global downturn, and we have brought the spirit here to Sabah, the will to survive.

Feeling confidence in the people’s support to BN and Umno, Najib said: “Tonight (last night) I will go home, and I can sleep well knowing that Malaysians in Sabah will stand by the party at all times.”

He said the people’s struggle with BN would be blessed.

“We need a party for our future, a party that would be able to bring good to the people and the nation,” he said.

He said the opposition could only make promises, and when they ran out of “moon and stars, they offer you the galaxy”.

“They even promise to reduce the fuel prices, free education, abolish the PTPTN, and RM4,000 minimal wage, among others. But that is not possible, everyone knows it is impossible. It does not make sense … but it is easy to make promises,” he said.

He said it was not right to make promises which are meant to be broken, adding: “I cannot promise you would be the next wakil rakyat (people’s representative) as I only want a sincere and hardworking leaders to lead the people,” said Najib.