KUALA LUMPUR – Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan revealed that there is a movement to collect statutory declarations (SDs) from lawmakers in a bid to form a new government.
In an interview with Malaysia Post last night, he said he was not one of those approached.
“I heard about the SDs. I do not deny their existence. There are such efforts going on. But some of my colleagues and I have not been approached.”
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today issued an ultimatum: Perikatan Nasional has 14 days to reconvene Parliament, or his party will call a Supreme Council meeting to discuss its next step.
He also reportedly chaired an Umno political bureau meeting last night.
Earlier this year, Zahid had issued a “divorce letter” to Bersatu, stating that the party would no longer cooperate with Bersatu for the 15th general election, and its alliance with PN would only last until the dissolution of Parliament.
Umno now has 14 ministers and deputy ministers in the cabinet.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said in his interview that the Supreme Council will set a date for its own polls, pending advice from the Registrar of Societies, National Security Council, and Health Ministry.
However, he stopped short of providing more details.
“It is up to the decision of the Supreme Council. If we have a majority decision, we will announce it.”
Umno’s constitution states that its Supreme Council has the prerogative to postpone polls up to 18 months from the date they should be held.
He added that Umno has until June 30 to decide.
The last party polls were held on June 30, 2018 and the current term is expected to expire on June 30. – The Vibes, June 21, 2021