Malaysia

14 MPs hit out at Umno power grab bid

They say party pushing for fresh elections at the expense of Malaysians’ well-being, health and safety

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 05 Jan 2021 2:48PM

14 MPs hit out at Umno power grab bid
Opposition MPs are saying that Umno will do anything to seize back federal power, including jeopardising the health and safety of Malaysians during a pandemic. – The Vibes file pic, January 5, 2021

by Jason Santos

KOTA KINABALU – Fourteen leaders from the opposition bloc have hit out at Umno for attempting a power grab at the federal level while pushing for a general election amid a health crisis and natural disasters. 

They are:

- Datuk Darell Leiking (Penampang) 
- Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar) 
- Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar)
- Hannah Yeoh (Segambut)
- Yeo Bee Yin (Bakri)
- Baru Bian (Selangau)
- Sivarasa Rasiah (Sg Buloh)
- Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Pulai)
- Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu)
- Teo Nie Ching (Kulai)
- Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud)
- Datuk Marzuki Yahya (Senator)
- Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Pkok Sena)
- Khalid Samad (Shah Alam)

“Barely three weeks after this supposedly people-friendly budget was passed, Umno now wants to use fresh elections as a trump card to grab more power at the expense of Malaysians’ well-being, health and safety. They have bared their true colours for all to see. 

“We are reminded of this – Najib Razak once urged Umno members to defend Putrajaya at all costs. 

“Even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost, brothers and sisters, whatever happens, we must defend Putrajaya,” they said in a statement today.  

“Malaysians must reject such wicked and selfish ambition for power. We have lost enough from years of misgovernance and corruption.”

The group also cited the government's handling of the pandemic, saying Malaysia recorded 1,741 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total number of infections to 120,818 cases. 

Some states have also been hard hit by severe floods, resulting in more than 15,000 Malaysians being displaced, they added. 

“Current unemployment or reduced income for many families in this time of pandemic remains unsettling. With these in mind, we are appalled by the continuous demand by Umno to hold snap polls in such a climate,” said the group, adding that, the nation needs to heal and take the time to do so. – The Vibes, January 5, 2021

Related News

Opinion / 9h

The tragedy of Zaid Ibrahim

Malaysia / 1d

Johor’s political reality: Cooperation cannot be denied

Malaysia / 2d

Coming GE: An open field for all?

Opinion / 5d

Johor MB’s exclusionary rhetoric betrays the people, exposes UMNO’s political hypocrisy

Malaysia / 6d

PAS-UMNO meeting a positive step in line with new political dynamics – Zahid

Malaysia / 1w

UMNO’s solo strategy seen as calculated bid to build momentum for GE16

Spotlight

Malaysia

PM Anwar – ‘Rather a torn shirt, than …’ (video)

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

After years of abandonment, Highland Towers to be demolished before year end

Malaysia

PH seat distribution finalised, PKR to contest 20 Johor PRN seats, 16 in Negeri

Malaysia

Rosmah Mansor denies viral allegations, lodges police report

Malaysia

Four arrested after maid abuse footage exposes alleged pattern of domestic worker mistreatment

Malaysia

Muhyiddin's 'congratulatory' message to Hamzah a fake

Malaysia

Hamzah Zainudin launches new political party, Parti Wawasan Negara

Malaysia

Disturbing video of alleged employers assaulting their helper goes viral (video)

You may be interested

Malaysia

Good governance critical for national cooperative growth, affirms PM

Malaysia

Man suffers burns as late-night blaze destroys three homes in Kelantan village

Malaysia

Anwar leads tributes following death of Islamic economist Dr Muhammad Umer Chapra

Malaysia

Govt moves to shield economy from energy crisis targeting below global average inflation rate

Malaysia

Cross border abduction rescues reveal deep Kelantan drug and human trafficking underworld ties

Malaysia

El Nino to drastically suppress rainfall, raise threat of ecological disasters

Malaysia

Federal-Sabah alliance takes centre stage as PM pushes growth for future prosperity

Malaysia

Elderly investor loses RM9 million in alleged IPO and shares investment scam