Malays are now confirmed as terrorist

Umno should get some tips from Isil militants, says Najib

Published: 24 June 2014

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak says the party should emulate the brave exploits of a Middle Eastern militant group if it wishes to survive. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, June 24, 2014.Datuk Seri Najib Razak last night outlined six virtues that Umno needed to survive and flourish in the country among which bravery, as displayed by some Middle East militants, was a requisite trait.

The Umno president said the party should emulate the exploits of a Middle Eastern militant group which defeated an Iraqi force outnumbering it.

“For example, when someone dares to fight to his death, he can even defeat a much bigger team,” he said, singling out the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

Isil, a splinter group of al-Qaeda, wants to set up an Islamic caliphate encompassing both Iraq and Syria and has been classified as a terror organisation.

Malaysians are said to be linked to the group. One was believed to have been the suicide bomber who killed 25 Iraqi policemen last month while police here arrested three local men, believed to be members of the group, earlier this month.

“Whether we agree or not is another matter, the group Isil with the strength of just 1,300 people, can defeat an Iraqi army of 30,000 soldiers, until four, five generals with three, four stars run for their lives, jump out the window at night,” he said at a dinner to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the party’s Cheras Umno branch last night.

He said ISIL could defeat a bigger force simply because the latter was afraid of it.

Apart from bravery, the five other virtues Najib said Umno needed were to remain strong and relevant included obedience, loyalty, unity, excellence and sincerity.

"Loyalty must not only be to the party but to the country as well, be brave to face the challenges. We must have the ability to adapt to changes and follow changes in the social media and technology.

"We cannot just go into a battle without being prepared for the technical advancement. If there are people who are using Facebook to challenge us, we must fight back using Facebook. If they use online, we must also know how to fight back via online," he said.

Najib later launched a book titled “Buku Minda Syed Ali” and a special bulletin to commemorate Cheras Umno's 20th anniversary. – June 24, 2014.