KUALA LUMPUR – Attention will be fixed on Umno’s headquarters here tonight as the party’s top echelons convene for its Supreme Council meeting to decide on several key issues.
On top of the party’s agenda are discussions over the political crisis in Melaka and whether Umno will have any political cooperation with its Muafakat Nasional (MN) partner PAS and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the next general election.
The meeting is set to take place at 8pm, although it is uncertain whether there will be a press conference following its conclusion.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Armand Azha Abu Hanifah had told The Vibes on Saturday that the coming meeting will focus on the Melaka crisis, particularly to look for a win-win situation that benefits all parties.
The party will hear the view of its members pertaining to the impasse in the state, and will likely push for a state of emergency similar to the one currently imposed on Sarawak, to avoid further escalation of Covid-19 infections.
It is understood that the Supreme Council will also deliberate the possibility of reaccepting Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, who were sacked for their role in the collapse of the Melaka government, to avoid further prolonging the crisis.
Idris and Azman were among the four assemblymen who withdrew support for chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md last week, resulting in the dissolution of the state assembly.
The party leadership is said to be infuriated by the pair’s decision to topple the Umno-led state government, but is willing to accept them back, granted they are sincere about strengthening the party’s position.
Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had similarly said on Sunday that today’s meeting is to discuss the ongoing crisis in the state.
He had said that Sulaiman and Melaka Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh have also been summoned to the meeting to provide recommendations on the next course of action.
Meanwhile, Rauf had said on Tuesday that Umno will also finalise its political cooperation with PN as the general election looms.
The party’s stand on MN will likely also take centre-stage, following a fractious relationship over the past few months, which had seen PAS rubbing shoulders with Umno splinter party Bersatu.
All indications point towards Umno ending its short “marriage” with the Islamist party, and heading into the polls only with its Barisan Nasional components.
During an online talk show on Tuesday night, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had cast further doubt over the Umno-PAS cooperation, saying he does not see light at the end of the tunnel for MN.
Among other things, he pointed towards the fact that the pact is yet to be formally registered as an entity with the Registrar of Societies, while lamenting the repeated betrayals by PAS.
“I have never been disappointed as a politician, but we have to know that when we share, especially in MN, we have to trust and not betray each other. It is enough to be betrayed once, but if it is done repeatedly, I think it (relationship) should be reevaluated.
“Let Umno contest solo under the BN flag and, God willing, the people will choose the best party,” Zahid said during the PRU15 – Membentuk Atau Mengikut Arus programme hosted on NR Channel TV. – The Vibes, October 14, 2021
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