KUALA LUMPUR – If Umno ministers believe remaining in the cabinet is in the people’s best interest, they should have spoken up against government decisions that do not address Malaysians’ plight, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a Facebook post today, the former prime minister and party president highlighted six instances where the Perikatan Nasional administration took actions that were at the expense of the public.
“The Umno general assembly has given the mandate to the president and Supreme Council to decide the right time to withdraw support for PN.
“As such, there is no need for Umno ministers to resign as long as the Supreme Council has not made an official decision to pull out and order its ministers to quit the government.
“However, if a minister’s decision not to resign is out of responsibility to the people and to keep Umno’s good image, they should not remain quiet when the government makes absurd decisions.”
Yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the party’s ministers quitting now will tarnish Umno’s image, adding that they still have many tasks to complete.
Najib said the government has suspended Parliament despite the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s green light for MPs to reconvene, and cited the postponed implementation of Undi18 from July this year to September 2022, as well as the move to gazette an ordinance allowing the use of consolidated funds without approval.
Additionally, said the Barisan Nasional adviser, Putrajaya tabled a motion in Parliament to increase its debt limit, while cancelling the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project that resulted in a RM320 million compensation to be paid to the republic.
“The government also sold the country’s biggest semiconductor company for RM273 million at a time when the industry is booming.
Don’t give the excuse of acting out of responsibility to the rakyat and maintaining Umno’s image if you are going to keep mum on matters that are clearly wrong.”
Party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in his winding-up speech at the general assembly last weekend, said when the time is right, all Umno leaders with government positions should relinquish their posts.
Following a meeting with the ministers yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he advised them to remain for the people’s benefit. – The Vibes, April 1, 2021
