Don’t block grassroots from effecting change, Nazri tells Umno ministers

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno ministers have been told to put the party’s interests ahead of their own, and not to impede the grassroots’ efforts towards political change, especially in the relationship with Bersatu.

Umno veteran Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said any decision pertaining to the party’s direction should also be left purely to the top leadership, instead of those with government positions.

“They (ministers) must listen to the views of the grassroots, who are feeling the brunt of the action taken by Bersatu,” he said in an interview with The Vibes. 

“If they (ministers) feel that relinquishing their positions will affect their ‘livelihood’, that means there is self-interest. 

“Please consider the views of the grassroots, and don’t put self-interest ahead of the party. It’s like throwing a spanner in the works.”

A former minister himself, Nazri said party members on the ground have voiced out what they want, and the decision should be left to the party’s leaders, and not ministers.

Nazri was commenting on statements issued by several Umno members in the cabinet, after speculation arose that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants them to relinquish their government posts, pull out of Perikatan Nasional, and push for a general election soon. 

Without naming anyone, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Khairy Jamaluddin tweeted that those pushing for polls during the Covid-19 pandemic are irresponsible, and urged them not to be selfish. 

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also urged Umno not to make decisions based on emotions, and asked who the party will work with if it decides to withdraw support from Bersatu. 

Nazri said the statements by Khairy and Hishammuddin, both of whom do not hold any party positions currently, showed their ignorance of Umno’s situation. 

The Padang Rengas MP pointed out that the party has said elections will be called only when the pandemic has been brought under control.

To Hishammuddin’s query, Nazri said it has been established that Umno will cooperate with PAS under Muafakat Nasional. 

He added that any possibility of cooperating with PKR or Amanah will be decided only after the elections, depending on the situation then. 

“What happens after the polls, whether we have enough numbers to form the government, that will be ironed out when the time comes. But at the moment, we have PAS, and we can work with Gabungan Parti Sarawak, too, so we don’t need the others.” 

He said the decision to sever ties with Bersatu and call for elections was deliberated on and agreed in principle by Umno MPs at a meeting held when the last Parliament session was ongoing.

“We have said that we want an election, perhaps in March or the latest by June. Some of the Umno ministers were also there, including (the MP for) Bera (Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob). 

“So, they (Umno ministers) are aware of this. But of course, we have taken into consideration the issue of Covid-19.” – The Vibes, January 8, 2021