Najib calls for unity in Malaysia's ruling party

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Najib Razak appealed for unity in the ruling party as thousands of members met in the capital amid tensions over a funding scandal that have festered for months, reported Bloomberg on Wednesday.

The political temperature is much higher than past United Malays National Organisation meetings, Mr Najib - who is party president - said on Facebook before delivering a closed-door speech late Tuesday at the annual gathering. Umno's women's group met on Wednesday with its leader, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, echoing calls to stay united.

"We want the image that we project of the party to be of a party that is in charge, that we are a responsible party that can safeguard our interests," Mr Najib said. The real picture is murkier as Mr Najib fights to stay in power after revelations in July that RM2.6 billion (S$855.9 million) appeared in his private accounts before the 2013 general election. He's face…