JEDDAH: Tun Dr Mahathir’s act of leaving Umno will not have any impact on the party, said Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Najib, who is also Prime Minister, said the effect of Tun Dr Mahathir’s action has been diluted somewhat. “Usually, when we leave a party, the impact is most felt the first time around.

“This is his (Tun Dr Mahathir’s) second time. Some say that it does not really register an impact which can affect Umno,” he said, adding that the former PM’s decision to leave was not “unexpected.”

He dismissed claims by Tun Dr Mahathir that he (Najib) was a person focused on status.

“What I have now is based on the mandate from party members who chose it via the most open process in Umno’s history based on the principles of democracy.

“I pledge to continue the mandate received from Umno members,” he told Malaysian reporters here after attending the Jeddah Economic Forum.

Najib said Tun Dr Mahathir’s remarks won’t distract the government from focusing on its work to continue developing the country.-nst