Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today described a former national leader who served for 22 years as quarrelsome.

Najib, who is also the Umno president, said the leader often criticised former and present leaders as being incorrect in whatever they did.

"Some people have said that Malaysia is a failed nation, what more when this is said by a former leader whom we praised all this while. Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob and I were among the loyal supporters for 22 years.

"We defended him, but today he is prepared to sit together with the opposition. We all understand that this quarrelsome person will always look for someone to quarrel with.

"First, it was with Tunku Abdul Rahman (whom he said) was wrong, Tun Hussein Onn... was wrong, Tun Musa Hitam... was wrong, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.. was wrong and the latest, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, was also wrong," he said when opening the Cameron Highlands Umno divisional delegates meeting today.

Najib also attracted attention when he challenged anyone who was dissatisfied with the Umno leadership including himself to contest and challenge him as president in the coming party election.

"If I am to be toppled, then contest in the Umno election but don't destroy Umno," he said to loud applause.

In fact, Najib said cynically that if he had intended to become the prime minister and Umno president for another 22 years, the previous party constitution could have been used.

"Under the old constitution, anyone wishing to contest for the presidency must receive the support from 56 Umno divisions, (you) think it's easy to get, even one (division) is difficult.

"But when I became the Umno president and prime minister, I took measures to amend the (Umno) constitution and leave it up to the 160,000 delegates who are eligible to vote to decide my fate," he said.

Meanwhile, Najib urged the people not to be easily influenced by foreign news reports including The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as this would not bring any benefit.

“What is important is what the government gives to the people, help our family, there is employment or otherwise, all this is not determined and given by the WSJ.

“Don’t be too bothered by stories from outside, but what is important is that we are capable of protecting Malaysia's independence and sovereignty,” he said.

The prime minister reiterated that his decision to introduce the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 was for the sake of security for the people and country.

“When I became the prime minister, I abolished the Internal Security Act (ISA) and I was criticised as being unreasonable, and when I created the NSC Act, it was said that I wanted to be a dictator as though I was seizing power from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“I did not apologise for my action for the sake of national security because if there are threats, there are casualties, dead bodies all over, what does it mean? National peace can change in the blink of an eye,” he added.

- Bernama