KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, one of the 10 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs who declared support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) prior to the formation of the unity government, said the group should not be branded as traitors as they had eventually reversed their actions.
The former Umno vice-president said he was perplexed as to why they were being maligned when they had withdrawn the statutory declarations (SD) they signed earlier in support of PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.
“To this day, I’m not sure why we are called traitors. I am confident that we shouldn’t be apologetic with what happened (and yet) we are accused of betraying the party’s struggle,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly today.
The former defence minister said the decision to initially back PN to form the government was based on Umno’s earlier stand not to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
However, he noted that when Umno decided to opt for a unity government with PH, the 10 BN MPs then withdrew their SDs.
“Later, when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong agreed to the formation of a unity government, we considered it to be the party’s decision as well, and we agreed.
“So, where is the betrayal?” he questioned.
Hishammuddin said this after Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s policy speech at the party assembly, in which he spoke of attempts by the 10 BN MPs to operate behind the party’s back.
Hishammuddin advised Umno not to be too fixated on the issue and instead focus on efforts to rejuvenate the party, particularly with the state elections due by the middle of this year.
“The public is sick and tired with the manner in which we are fighting, quarreling among ourselves. I would like to remind every quarter that it is vital for the party to look forward.
“I hope this year’s general assembly will focus on the party’s direction and how to address voters’ trust deficit towards Umno.
“That is better than merely utilising this platform to wrestle each other, and accusing and attacking one another. Please realise, enough is enough,” he added.
In a closed-door briefing to Umno delegates on Wednesday, Zahid had revealed the names of the 10 BN MPs who lent their support to Muhyiddin, before Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was eventually appointed as prime minister.
Of the 10, six are Umno lawmakers, including Hishammuddin, while the remaining are from MCA (two), MIC (one) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (one).
However, Zahid said yesterday that he had forgiven the 10 MPs, but maintained that the BN disciplinary council will be keeping a close eye on their present and future actions. – The Vibes, January 13, 2023
