Umno’s top brass apparently flout MCO SOPs to meet in Janda Baik

KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the movement control order (MCO), the Umno Supreme Council convened in Janda Baik, Pahang for a meeting to deliberate on the party’s future alliance with Bersatu.

Chaired by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the meeting which is currently ongoing, is expected to include demands for the party to helm deputy prime minister and finance minister posts.

A source told Sinar Harian that the meeting began at about 9pm this evening, and was attended by most of the 50 Umno Supreme Council members, including Zahid.

The source explained that the meeting was held to discuss the status of political ties with Bersatu.

“Yes...the meeting will begin anytime now. (About the question of the agenda) I have yet to receive any minutes of the meeting. 

But I feel that the agenda is about you-know-what (the current status of cooperation with Bersatu),” the source was quoted as saying.

“On the number of members in attendance, Insya-Allah (God willing) all members will be present. We are praying for a good decision to be reached."

Umno is leveraging on its 35 seats in Parliament to pressure Bersatu to give in to its demands, in exchange for propping up the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

Despite some loosened restrictions under the movement control order (MCO), interstate and inter-district travel is still generally prohibited.

The meeting this evening raises questions on whether the restrictions are still in place, as the 50-odd Umno leaders had likely travelled across state and district lines to attend the sit-down. 

A source told Astro Awani that the meeting was held to determine the Malay-based party’s direction in the upcoming 15th general election.

The meeting, according to Astro Awani's source, will also touch on Umno’s agreement to appoint a deputy prime minister from the party to consolidate its position in PN.

Several sources told Sinar Harian that the party’s top brass wanted to discuss demands from the party’s grassroots during meetings at the divisional and branch levels that were not addressed at the Umno General Assembly, which was shelved due to the MCO..

Umno’s constitution stipulates that the supreme council will determine the direction of the party if the divisions are unable to convene at a general assembly. – The Vibes, February 19, 2021