KUALA LUMPUR – Almost a month after the conclusion of Umno’s annual general assembly, the party’s Supreme Council will finally convene for what is expected to be an “all-important” meeting.
A party source told The Vibes the meet-up tomorrow evening is to endorse and further deliberate on resolutions that were passed during its assembly on March 28.
These include determining a date for Umno to cease its political cooperation with Bersatu, and decide when party leaders with government positions should relinquish their posts.
The 75th assembly also approved the motion for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs not to be with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government when Parliament is dissolved, and to go it alone in the next general election.
Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman confirmed the meeting will take place tomorrow, adding that an invitation was sent out by secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan a while back.
Asked to confirm if the resolutions passed during Umno’s annual meet will be at the top of the agenda, the Pasir Salak MP said: “It is as clear as daylight that this will be the main focus.”
“The assembly has given the mandate, so we supreme councillors must honour it,” Tajuddin, who is also Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman, said.
“Regarding the dates when we should withdraw from PN and for the ministers to resign, that is up for debate during the meeting. Everyone is free to share their thoughts and views, as long as they are in line with the resolutions.”
Fellow Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Razali Ibrahim similarly confirmed the meet, but did not provide further details.
Growing rift
The meeting comes amid pressure from several Umno leaders for party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to discuss and implement the decisions made during the assembly.
Typically, a Supreme Council meeting is held within a week or two of the party’s annual meet.
The reason behind the current delay is unknown, although the Umno source said Zahid is the one who made the call.
The perfervid general assembly in March comes on the heels of a growing rift between factions in Umno – one behind Zahid calling for an immediate severance of ties with Bersatu, and the other led by leaders with cabinet positions who want to remain in the government.
The majority of Umno members are believed to be irritated by the faction close to the PN government, with many describing them as traitors for not heeding the party’s resolution.
Zahid had said during his winding-up speech at the general assembly that, when the time is right, all party leaders with government positions should relinquish their posts.
“To my friends who have been given positions as ministers and deputy ministers, and those in GLCs, please take care of Umno’s image so that the rakyat will support us. They (rakyat) are watching us,” he had said.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also PN chairman and had been absent as a guest at the assembly, had announced earlier this month that Umno ministers and deputy ministers, as well as the heads of GLCs and agencies, would remain in their positions.
The Bersatu chief had thanked them for their decision not to relinquish their posts in defiance of the motion passed at the assembly, saying that their services are needed in the fight against Covid-19.
There are currently nine Umno leaders holding full ministerial positions, eight with deputy ministerial posts and four others appointed heads of GLCs. – The Vibes, April 24, 2021
