KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council members are trickling into the party’s headquarters at Menara Dato Onn, PWTC here, expected to discuss the party’s polls and standing with Perikatan Nasional.
At the building lobby, The Vibes spotted former education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, former Terengganu menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and former Kota Belud MP Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
Many of them were seen arriving about 3pm, but auxiliary police said some leaders arrived as early as 11.30am.
The meeting is expected to kick off at 4pm.
Yesterday, The Vibes reported that the Supreme Council is expected to endorse and further deliberate on resolutions passed during the party’s general assembly on March 28.
These include determining a date for Umno to cease its political cooperation with Bersatu and deciding when party leaders with government positions should relinquish their posts, as well as matters pertaining to the party polls.
The last Umno elections were on June 30, 2018. The party is supposed to hold its polls this year, but no decision has been made due to different views among its leaders.
Its 75th general assembly also approved a motion for the party and Barisan Nasional MPs not to stand with the PN government when Parliament is dissolved, and to go it alone in the 15th general election.
Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had confirmed the meeting would take place today, 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 Council members must honour it.
“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, too, confirmed the meet, but did not provide further details.
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 an Umno source said Zahid was the one who made the call.
The general assembly last month came on the heels of a growing rift between factions in Umno – one behind Zahid calling for ties with Bersatu to be immediately severed, 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 administration, with many describing these members as traitors for not heeding the party’s resolution.
Zahid, during his winding-up speech at the assembly, said 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.”
Prime Minister and PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was absent as a guest at the Umno gathering, earlier this month announced that the party’s ministers and deputy ministers, as well as heads of GLCs and agencies, will remain in their posts.
The Bersatu president thanked them for their decision not to relinquish their positions, in defiance of the motion passed at the assembly, saying their services are needed in the fight against Covid-19.
There are currently nine Umno leaders holding cabinet posts, eight deputy ministers, and four appointed GLC heads. – The Vibes, April 25, 2021
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