GEORGE TOWN – Umno needs to leave the ruling Perikatan Nasional now, said party veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah after the “divorce” letter issued to ally Bersatu.
The chair of Umno’s board of advisers said the party should not wait until the next general election to exit the coalition.
“Sever ties now. Leave the PN government now. Stop playing wayang kulit (playing to the gallery). It is not beneficial, and there is no impact,” he told The Vibes.
“My sincere advice is for all Umno members in the government and in government-linked companies (to leave). (Prime Minister Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) has threatened to expel us.
“Why are we waiting? Stop it now, and preserve our dignity in Umno.”
The Gua Musang MP reminded that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong said Parliament can be convened within six months of its last session, and even during the emergency order.
It is enshrined in the federal constitution, which the king and prime minister are duty-bound to uphold, he said.
“The government has to understand that Malaysia is bound by the constitution, and no prerogatives, either historically or constitutionally, exist.”
Yesterday, the Umno Supreme Council said the decision to sever ties with Bersatu was made at the behest of Muhyiddin.
It said the prime minister requested that Umno make clear its stand on political cooperation with his party.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, in a statement yesterday, said the matter was discussed in a special meeting with Bersatu and PAS on February 15, with each party represented by five of its top leaders.
Following this, the Supreme Council on February 19 met to discuss Muhyiddin’s request.
It unanimously decided that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will write to Muhyiddin stating:
– No cooperation with Bersatu in the 15th general election; and,
– The alliance with the PN government will continue until the dissolution of Parliament. – The Vibes, March 5, 2021
