UMNO AGM Dr Mahathir Mohamad's most memorable quote, "Melayu mudah lupa" (Malays forget easily), was once again used against him.

This time, it was none other than Umno president Najib Abdul Razak himself who fired the salvo against the former premier.

In his speech at the Umno annual general assembly, Najib, who is also prime minister, said various leaders, ministers and statesmen had betrayed the oath taken in the name of Allah.

Citing several Islamic scholars, he said this was a cardinal sin and proved the hypocritical attitude of certain individuals.

"... One person himself said Malays forget easily.

"I wish to ask now - who is that Malay who forgets easily? Definitely not us, because true Umno Malays are loyal and do not betray the party," he stressed.

At this juncture, the large screen showing the Umno president delivering his speech shifted to a wide angle shot, revealing a screen above Najib which displayed the images of Mahathir, his son Mukhriz and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin clad in Bersih t-shirts.

Earlier in his speech, Najib said he deliberated on the approach that should be adopted for his speech, in light of the various attacks from the other side.

"After meeting with many quarters in the process to prepare this speech, I received numerous views. Among them, that I should no longer be gentlemanly.

"Instead, I should be harsher and respond to all the scorn and obscenities from all quarters, including Mahathir and his accomplices, with even more harsher words," he added.

However, Najib said it was better for him to follow the way of Prophet Muhammad, which is to be cordial in one's approach, even to foes.

Dr M working with nation's enemies

Once again, the prime minister recalled his loyalty to Mahathir during the divisive Umno elections in 1987.

Although being close to Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Najib said he held on to the principle of loyalty to the president by siding with Mahathir.

The prime minister said despite Umno members and him remaining loyal to Mahathir during his tenure in office, the latter had now turned his back on them.

"I am personally very disappointed and I am sure that you, too, share the same disappointment over what that has happened.

"Mahathir who was once a celebrated statesman has turned his back against the party he led for decades.

"It's not unreasonable to state that he is now even in cahoots with DAP, Bersih, Parti Amanah Negara, PKR and worse, with the country's enemies like (George) Soros who was once hated and we were asked to hate him for being responsible for the fall of the ringgit," he added.

Citing the loyalty accorded to Mahathir's successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Najib said it was not only for Abdullah but for the institutions he held as Umno president and prime minister as well.

"As such, loyalty given to the institutions I am holding now is because of the responsibility held by party members as well as the people of Malaysia.

"So total loyalty must be received by anyone who takes over the posts of (party) president and prime minister," he added.

Najib also touched on how history revealed that Malays and Muslims have been paralysed due to enmity and betrayal.

"As such, we should not be used by certain quarters lest we will lose the things which are important to us.

"So I urge that we unite. In the name of Malay unity, we should forget our differences and return to the right path," he said.

The prime minister also expressed confidence that both the Pagoh and Semporna Umno divisions would remain loyal to the party.

The divisions’ former leaders Muhyiddin and Shafie Apdal have since formed their own parties after leaving Umno.