KUALA LUMPUR – Umno cannot survive on its own if it splits up with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and goes it alone in the next election, said a veteran member, who is observing the Supreme Council meeting in Menara Dato Onn here this evening.
Datuk Md Yahya Umar, 69, said this is because the voters of today are more informed than before and are aware of many of the party’s misgivings.
He added that Umno is rife with corruption and the party needs to do away with leaders who are facing graft charges if it is to survive.
“(Party president Datuk Seri Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi must go. He should resign as he is a problem to the party,” he told The Vibes when met at the lobby of the Umno headquarters.
Yahya is a former bank officer and property manager who had worked in Melbourne, Australia.
Most of Umno’s 35 Supreme Council members convened tonight to discuss its political cooperation with Bersatu in the PN government.
The Bersatu cooperation was brought up after 143 of the 191 Umno division heads agreed with a proposal to reject the party led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
While not directly a part of the meeting tonight, Yahya said he came to the headquarters to offer support as a veteran member.
“I just wanted to see what happens. I think they (Umno) will hold on to their relationship with Bersatu for now.”
On Umno’s future, Yahya, who has been an Umno member since 1970, said the party needs to change its system to evolve.
“After 70 years, Umno risks total collapse. If there are politicians with self-interests, the party will no longer be relevant.”
He said parties such as DAP did not have corrupt leaders, which is why they were able to attack Umno.
However, he said he still believed in Umno as it is a party that represents the struggle of the Malays.
“It’s important for the Malays to support Umno, but we must get rid of the corrupt to regain the people’s support.” – The Vibes, January 6, 2021
Additional reporting by G. Surach
