‘Decide now, end Umno grassroots’ confusion over Perikatan ties’

KUALA LUMPUR – The Umno General Assembly (PAU20) must find a resolution on whether it will leave the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration immediately, or continue its struggle together with the Bersatu-led coalition, said an Umno Youth executive councillor.

Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, well known under his blogger moniker Papagomo, told The Vibes on the sidelines of the event yesterday that the party’s grassroots were confused over the party’s political direction.

“They (the grassroots) are confused. They are very confused. It is critical for PAU20 to determine the direction of our party on whether we stay with Bersatu or leave the coalition.

“If the resolution is to leave PN, I think it’s better for us to leave immediately. Rip the bandage off.

“That will be better so that the grassroots will not be puzzled over where we are headed. In Umno, there are many opinions – some want to stay while others want to leave. But this has gone on long enough.

“If this issue continues to make its rounds, Umno will not go anywhere,” said Wan Muhammad Azri.

He recalled the resolution made in PAU19, that his party would not cooperate with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or with DAP.

The decision to contest in the next general election alone was only made at the divisional level and at the Supreme Council, but it has not been decided by the assembly.

He said that his personal view is for Umno to maintain its PN ties.

“If you ask me, I prefer uniting the ummah, but including everyone else, because what is important is the people – the Malays, Chinese, and Indians here,” he said. 

“But looking at what Umno’s leadership has decided, we will not be working with Bersatu in the 15th general election.”

Umno Hulu Selangor Youth delegate Mohd Syaril Rahim voiced his hope that the wing’s national chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki would take into consideration the various delegates’ views.

He said that the party as a whole should not simply jump to conclusions and must deliberate on whether or not the party should stay in PN or go.

“We must deliberate and think clearly before making any decisions. I hope that at the highest levels, Asyraf will know how to consider the feedback from our colleagues.

“Take what they say seriously and make a good decision, particularly for Pemuda and by extension, Umno as a whole,” he said. – The Vibes, March 28, 2021