KUALA LUMPUR – It appears the meeting between veterans Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak mere days before the Umno general assembly last weekend touched on more than just party direction.
In an interview with The Vibes, Tengku Razaleigh, who is Umno's adviser, said he had urged his two compatriots to enforce discipline against those critical of the party to ensure unity.
In particular, the Gua Musang MP said dissenting leaders should be barred from contesting in the next general election.
He added Umno’s top leadership, especially its president, Zahid, cannot appear to be wishy-washy and must not be too forgiving, but warned against sacking mavericks.
And, once these people are no longer MPs, they are finished.
“Umno is an organisation that depends on discipline. You must come down hard on people who have wronged you. You may not want to take action during the general assembly, but do it later.
“But don’t sack them. If you do, they will appear as heroes and seek sympathy from the public. You’ll be labouring yourself with all sorts of difficulties, like poison pen letters.
“So, I told Zahid and Najib to just deny them from contesting (in the general election). These MPs are most afraid of being denied a seat in the polls. They’ll have nothing after that.”
While Tengku Razaleigh did not mention names, this could be in reference to several Umno members, including Ketereh MP and Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who have been overly critical of the leadership over its decision to sever ties with Bersatu.
His advice also explains statements made by Zahid and Najib at the party’s annual general assembly at the weekend on disloyal and ill-disciplined Umno members.
Zahid had urged backstabbing Umno ministers who have been warming up to Bersatu to resign from the cabinet, but did not announce their sacking from the party.
Najib, on the other hand, had said that the party would prioritise loyalists when its leadership selects candidates to contest in the 15th general election.
Tengku Razaleigh said placing disloyal Umno members in cold storage ahead of the general election could herald the end of their political careers, which would only be fitting.
“They can’t hop around at the last minute looking for seats, because the other parties will be scrambling to contest.
“And, once these people are no longer MPs, they are finished. Politics is the only thing they know; it is their livelihood, they have no business or other income. They are just barua (henchmen).” – The Vibes, March 31, 2021
