Quit cabinet, Ku Li tells Umno ministers

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today said the party’s leaders in the cabinet should resign from their ministerial posts, failing which, they will no longer be deemed members.

He said all Umno ministers should withdraw from the Perikatan Nasional government in line with the party’s decision to break off political cooperation with Bersatu.

“Actually, if they (Umno ministers) don’t (resign), it means that they are not with us,” the Gua Musang MP told reporters after the president’s policy speech at the Umno General Assembly 2020 this morning.

Tengku Razaleigh said Umno ministers are to withdraw from the cabinet if they want to abide by the party’s decision, although the matter will be debated later during the assembly.

“As far as the party is concerned, this is the end (of cooperation with Bersatu). I mean, you cannot go on and on when the grassroots say ‘end’.

“I think the president has rightfully responded, because the Supreme Council has already endorsed that decision. Now, the president is just reiterating what stand the Supreme Council has taken.”

In his policy speech this morning, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that Umno will head into the 15th general election under the Barisan Nasional banner, and will not cooperate with other parties.

He said the BN lynchpin will look into cooperating with other political entities after the polls, to form a unity government.

Asked why PAS should remain with Umno, Tengku Razaleigh said it is important for the Islamist outfit to stick with his party as both had formed the Muafakat Nasional pact.

“But I can’t speak on their (PAS’) behalf. You have to ask them how they want to assess (the matter).”

Tengku Razaleigh was among the Umno leaders quizzed by the press on Zahid’s remark that Umno’s decision to part with Bersatu is “final”.

Meanwhile, former BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Annuar Musa said it is Zahid’s right as Umno president to set out the party’s narrative in his policy speech.

“I also think it gives delegates the opportunity to evaluate as well as they can, since the debates have not wrapped up. But, we hope everything will proceed well.”

It is up to the president and party to determine whether Umno should go it alone in GE15, he added.

“The president must at least explain (why) the party should contest solo.

“Before this, the party wanted to work with others.”

Long-time Umno man Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said stability and unity are the two most important things for the party to achieve at this juncture.

“Whatever that was raised (by Zahid) in terms of cohesion, I accept it well.

“What has been decided by the Supreme Council was mentioned (by Zahid) today.

“So, we will have to wait for what our spokesmen have to say about the president’s speech.”

On BN contesting on its own in GE15, the foreign minister said the matter is still too early to ascertain, as it is Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision on when to call the polls.

“If Bersatu, Umno and PAS contest in all seats, what will happen to unity, cohesion and stability ahead of the elections?

“What’s important is that we all don’t only talk in rhetoric.

“If we hold firm to achieving stability and the right direction, there must be time for us to think it through.

“Therefore, the president did not say anything much that’s new in his policy speech. It stressed on what we have stated before, through the Supreme Council.” – The Vibes, March 28, 2021