'No surrender', says Najib as party backs him

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday defiantly rejected calls to step down over a political funding scandal as the ruling party doubled down on its support for him in the face of an uncertain electoral outlook.

Mr Najib vowed not to give in to "traitors" seeking his removal, as he addressed the annual assembly of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the most closely watched in years for signs of any revolt against the party leader.

"Even though there are traitors, and no matter how many times we are pushed to the ground, there shall be no retreat, no surrender," Mr Najib told the a…