SHAH ALAM: Do not be the “crabs in the bucket” if one does not wish to see Umno being defeated in the next general election, said Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

The Umno secretary-general was referring to former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent announcement of joining forces with the Opposition and civil societies to oust Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Prime Minister.

He said leaders in Umno must refrain from having such bad attitude that jeopardises party growth.

”Crabs in the bucket would do everything to destroy the ambitions of those among them who want to improve.

”We should be loyal to the Umno leadership. We have an election system and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was elected officially through the system.

”So why ruin the existing institution? Don’t be the crabs in the bucket and don’t sink the ship from within,” Tengku Adnan said in his address when launching the Shah Alam Umno branches and wings joint meeting here Saturday night.

The Umno secretary-general said he wanted members to stay united to ensure that the party remained strong.

Tengku Adnan said he had met personally with Dr Mahathir and former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to request that they stop attacking Najib.

”However, they were arrogant (to accept my request).

”Things would not have transpired until this stage now if no arrogance was involved,” he said, adding that even a husband and wife could face divorce should such negative feelings exists.

Tengku Adnan later announced a RM30,000 contribution to the Umno Shah Alam branch.-thestar