KUALA LUMPUR – No individual is bigger than Umno and no struggle is greater than the ones for the rakyat, said party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, following the party’s withdrawal of support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In a statement today, the Rantau assemblyman said the party was compelled to make a strong stand following the worsening situation in the country.
He said in times like this, the party ought to come forward with a stand that is in line and represents the aspirations of Malaysians.
“Umno must be on the same breath with the struggle of the people, not power and positions.
“Umno is a party for the majority of the rakyat – and for them, Umno must speak and fight.
“To all party members, rest assured, the stand of Umno’s leadership will not stray from prioritising the rakyat, country, and party.
“It is certainly in line with the decision of the general assembly,” he said, in reference to a resolution in March for the party to withdraw its support from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
Mohamad, who is fondly known as Tok Mat, said Umno must not be a part of the regression that is plaguing the current government.
Among other failures, he cited the worsening public health system and economy, increase in poverty and suicide rate, abuse of democracy and opposition to royal decrees.
“Today, Umno already has a stand and direction. May this plan be the best one for the rakyat, nation, and our party.”
In the wee hours this morning, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the party is withdrawing support for Muhyiddin with immediate effect.
Umno also called on Muhyiddin to step down honourably and make way for an interim prime minister who will focus on putting Malaysia back on track amid the Covid-19 pandemic, before a general election is called.
This comes just hours after Umno’s Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein were appointed as deputy prime minister and senior minister respectively, as Muhyiddin attempted to hold on to his post.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, in a Facebook post, said the decision of the council to withdraw support was made unanimously.
“Clearly, Umno’s action is to give focus to the welfare of the rakyat and for the vaccination process to be expedited,” she said. – The Vibes, July 8, 2021
