KUALA LUMPUR – Failure to administer the country and battle the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as false promises, are among the many Machang MP Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub has offered in withdrawing his support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) regime.
The Kelantan Umno chairman said that 12 Umno Divisions in the state, with the exception of Ketereh whose head is Tan Sri Annuar Musa, have also decided to withdraw support for PN.
He especially pointed to apparent attempts by Bersatu in PN to undermine Umno
“Today’s government was not formed by virtue of winning the last general election, but through the cooperation of MPs after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government fell,” Jazlan said at a press conference.
He also stressed that the pattern of choices made by the PN administration can only result in Umno’s weakening.
“We all know that during the tabling of Budget 2021, Umno MPs requested for an automatic moratorium (on loan repayments) and EPF withdrawals,” he said.
“The government of the day agreed to do it but didn’t follow our recommendations. For example, we wanted an automatic moratorium not one with conditions,” he added.
Jazlan also touched on the PN government’s failure to combat the pandemic, pointing to neighbouring countries that managed to bring down the number of cases there.
"Our neighbours can control the number Covid-19 cases, but our country is different. This shows failure,” he explained.
With regards to economic matters, the former Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman said that the unemployment rate is worrying and may affect more than a million individuals this year.
He further said that investors are choosing to dump money in neighbouring countries, and existing investors in Malaysia have chosen to go elsewhere.
The Machang MP also pointed to cases initiated by the previous PH administration against Umno leaders and the freezing of the party’s funds.
He said the PH administration not only continued with the cases, but the monies were never returned to Umno.
Saya sebagai Ahli Parlimen Machang, dengan ini mengumumkan penarikan sokongan saya terhadap Kerajaan Perikatan Nasional dan YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sebagai Perdana Menteri. pic.twitter.com/wx5SuWc89Y
— Jazlan Yaakub (@JazlanYaakub) January 9, 2021
“This is despite the courts having said twice to release the money. This shows that the government of the day and Bersatu have certain agendas to hinder Umno’s activities.”
For Jazlan, the hindrances set up for Umno include Bersatu’s move to pinch its members.
“There are millions of people out there without a party membership. So why come for Umno members? Surely they must want to weaken our party,” Ahmad Jazlan said.
He emphasised that he is not the first Umno member to withdraw support for PN, pointing out that Umno veteran and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has already done so.
“My actions will not bring down the government. PN has 110 and PH has 108. PN still has a majority, but it is now smaller,” he added.
Jazlan also guaranteed that he would support any enactment of laws tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
His withdrawal of support comes one week after he resigned as chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) – The Vibes, January 9, 2021
