Embattled PM vows 'no surrender' amid unabating funding scandal

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.

Najib vowed not to give in to unnamed "traitors" seeking his removal, as he addressed the annual assembly of the ruling United Malays National Organization, the most closely watched in years due to the current tumult.

"Even though there are traitors, and no matter how many times we are pushed to the ground, there shall be no retreat, no surrender," Najib told the assembly in Kuala Lumpur, in a speech that drew a standing ovation from more than 2,000 delegates clad in the party's red colors.