Malaysia ruling party warns split could cost power

Najib, who is also deputy president of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), said the party must avoid a structural split to ensure it remains strong, the state Bernama news agency reported late Saturday.

"If the top (leaders) cause trouble, it will break the structure," Najib said.

"As long as we don't learn from history, we can repeat the mistakes. We don't want the dark history to happen again in the party."

Najib said Umno must remain united to continue as the backbone of the country's administration. It is the dominant member of the ruling National Front coalition.