KUALA LUMPUR – Unfazed by the possibility of being dropped by Umno for the 15th general election, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said he will decide his next move only if the situation comes to it.
The Pasir Salak MP remained tight-lipped when pressed on his future should the party remove him, and other Umno lawmakers who continue to support Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, from contesting.
This follows a warning by fellow Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi that those who go against party decisions will face repercussions.
“Like the white men say: we get to the bridge first, and then we’ll cross it. So, let us reach that bridge before we talk,” Tajuddin told The Vibes yesterday.
In March, Umno adviser Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah urged president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Barisan Nasional adviser Datuk Seri Najib Razak to enforce discipline against those critical of the party.
In particular, the Gua Musang MP said these dissenting voices should be barred from contesting in the next elections, and that the leadership must not be too forgiving of mavericks.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Puad said there appears to be a split in Umno not due to rivalries ahead of party polls, but because there are those who defy decisions.
“They are willing to be power brokers, sell the party, and negotiate without Umno’s blessings to remain in power and for fear of action (against them).
“Most recently, the Supreme Council decided to withdraw support for the prime minister – but the ministers’ cluster (Umno MPs with government positions) decided the opposite. They support the prime minister.”
He said there must be no compromise with this group, and that there will be repercussions for the breach of discipline.
Taking aim at Puad in particular, Tajuddin said the Batu Pahat Umno chief should mind his own business and look after his people in Batu Pahat instead of accusing other party members of being ill-disciplined.
Tell him to take care of his area first. He lost there in the elections previously because he had not been looking after the people. He’s just talking big.”
Puad made his election debut in 2008 when he won the federal constituency, but failed to defend his seat in 2013. He was dropped altogether by Umno in the 2018 polls.
Defending his decision to continue supporting Muhyiddin, Tajuddin said Umno never decided to pull the plug on the prime minister at the moment, arguing that the agreement has always been to back the government until Parliament is dissolved.
“So, why should there be disciplinary action against us? Ask Puad whether he truly understands the situation. If anything, he should be the one disciplined for making such accusations.” – The Vibes, July 22, 2021
