KUALA LUMPUR – Umno leaders’ continued membership of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government will not go down well with the party’s grassroots.
In fact, the failure of this government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has angered Umno members, who feel the party will be blamed for the rising infections and deaths.
This is in addition to the fact that there seems to be no end to the pandemic, which has also battered the economy and forced thousands of Malaysians to their knees – losing jobs and experiencing starvation, and even suicides.
“The blood on PN’s hands will flow down and taint Umno,” was Johor Umno deputy chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s damning verdict of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
The son of the late Umno stalwart Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat said it is obvious that there are members looking out for themselves despite the party’s resolution to leave PN.
“The ‘minister cluster’ in Umno must be blamed for keeping this failed government in power while the people continue to suffer,” he said.
The party at its 75th annual general assembly on March 28 adopted a resolution to sever ties with PN, but gave no definite timeline for when party leaders serving in the Muhyiddin administration must withdraw.
Party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had indicated that the “political divorce” would happen by August.
However, the following day, Muhyiddin thanked Umno members in his administration for agreeing to stay on in the government to battle the pandemic and address the economy, which has taken a beating.
On Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s appointments as deputy prime minister and senior minister, respectively, today, Nur Jazlan said these appointments do not change his stand, but emphasise the fact that Umno is being wooed by positions to save Muhyiddin’s administration, which is on the brink.
Trust deficit a certainty if Umno continues backing PN
Meanwhile Umno’s Semenyih assemblyman Zakaria Hanafi warned that continuing cooperation with PN, which goes against the party’s general assembly resolution, will not bode well among members and voters, and may lead to a trust deficit.
He said it is the responsibility of every member to respect the decisions made by the assembly, which, as per the party constitution, decides Umno’s policies and direction.
“Decisions made in the annual meet are the biggest decisions, and represent the voices of all Umno members nationwide. The Supreme Council’s duty is just to endorse them.
“The council must abide by the decisions of the assembly.”
At the general assembly in March, delegates gave the mandate to the party’s leadership to withdraw support for PN any time they saw fit.
Failing to do this, said Zakaria, members of the Supreme Council would be seen as disobeying the mandate of party members, and that disciplinary action against those who defy the resolution should be considered.
“Push comes to shove, perhaps, they should have their party membership removed and the party should conduct a re-election.”
The senior party member also expressed concern that Umno’s image will be tainted, knowing that certain members continue to support a PN government that has been perceived as a failure in addressing the pandemic.
Criticisms against govt warranted, represent rakyat’s voice
Supreme Council member Datuk Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, meanwhile, expressed his apprehension at the party’s continued cooperation with PN, noting, particularly, the public sentiment against the government.
The Subang Umno division chief said frustration among the rakyat towards the ruling coalition has not been at a worse state.
He also defended the actions of certain party leaders who have consistently criticised the government over its handling of the health and economic crises.
Armand Azha said being part of the ruling coalition, it is Umno’s moral duty to ensure checks and balances in the government, and that the criticisms are merely a representation of the people’s voice.
When we voice out, it does not mean we are part of the opposition, and there is no power struggle. It’s not like we hate PN or that we are crazy for power. We are just voicing out the people’s grouses.
“If we look at Zahid and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for example, when they voice out on an issue, the people like that. The reason for that is not to topple the government, but to ensure the rakyat’s plights are heard.”
Armand Azha said, however, the internal squabbling among top Umno leaders on whether to pull support has only aggravated matters, expressing concern that the public may become tired of the politicking taking place amid the pandemic.
He said at a time of a grave crisis like today, it should be Umno’s priority to provide solutions to issues affecting the people, rather than be involved in actions that could damage its image.
“If this internal politicking continues, the public perception towards Umno will only deteriorate. The point is simple: please put the people and country as the main priority, and solidify the party.” – The Vibes, July 7, 2021
