KUALA LUMPUR – In a yet another twist before Umno’s Supreme Council meeting tomorrow, Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man has been appointed the new state Umno liaison chairman, replacing Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, effective today.
In a brief statement, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi thanked Shahidan, who is also former Perlis menteri besar, for his services throughout his term as chairman.
Shahidan who was appointed as 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) Corporation Malaysia chairman last month, is among several Umno MPs who are supporting continued cooperation with Bersatu, which is against Zahid’s stance.
As the party’s Perlis chairman previously, Shahidan was able to attend the Umno Supreme Council meeting as an unelected member.
It is learnt that the appointment of Azlan would effectively bar Shahidan from attending the meeting and voicing out any possible dissent against Zahid, with the former replacing the Arau MP on the party’s highest decision-making body.
Despite eventually pledging loyalty to Umno’s leadership, Shahidan had questioned the party’s decision to sever ties with Bersatu, having stated that this should be left as a collective decision of the individual MPs and not the party’s Supreme Council.
He had also questioned the urgency for discussions on Umno’s cooperation with Bersatu, saying the general election is still far off.
Tomorrow’s meeting comes amid pressure from several Umno leaders for Zahid to discuss and implement the decisions made during the party’s general assembly on March 28.
Typically, an Umno 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 an 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 Perikatan Nasional (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.
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 government-linked companies (GLCs) and agencies, would remain in their positions.
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
