'Up to Najib to accept blame for Selangor bungle'
MalaysiaKini.com
Nov 11, 2014

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who reigned for more than two decades, said politicians cannot remain in the seat of power till their death.

In reiterating his call on Selangor Umno leaders to withdraw, he said when the existing batch of leaders fail to make a difference, the baton must be passed on.

On whether Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should be blamed since he was spearheading Selangor Umno during the last general election, Mahathir replied: "It is up to him (whether he wants to accept the blame for the dismal performance in the election)."

"I believe when we have not succeeded for a long time, then give it (the post) to others.

"I myself had quit and gave my place to someone else. So if we cannot succeed, we let others do it and we support them," Mahathir told reporters.

According him, this is the hallmark of a leader.

"If leaders want to remain for life, then it is difficult," said Mahathir, who stepped down in 2003 at the age of 78.

Selangor fell into the hands of Pakatan Rakyat in the 2008 general election, during the tenure of Mahathir’s successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Pakatan retained the resource-rich state in last year's general election, the first election Najib led as prime minister.

Noh took over the reins in Selangor Umno after the last general election.

In response to Mahathir's earlier criticism that Selangor Umno must shed its reputation of being corrupt, Noh suggested that the perception fortified during the ex-premier's era.

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