KUALA LUMPUR – If there is one thing that Umno can emulate from its rivals DAP and PKR, it is to hold fast to the party’s cause in times of hardship.
This is according to Federal Territory Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who highlighted the loyalty of members of the two parties despite being in the opposition for decades.
“I’m not promoting other parties, but just look at DAP and PKR. DAP, for example, won only nine parliamentary seats in 1995.
“But, its members didn’t deregister the party or run away from their struggles. They were consistent.
“In 2004, they won 12 seats, 28 in 2008, 38 in 2013, and finally, 42 in 2018,” he said when debating the president’s policy speech at the Umno general assembly today.
“As for PKR, they won only one seat in 2004, despite contesting in 80.
“Then, in 2013, they won 30, followed by 50 in the last elections.
“We, on the other hand, won 13 general elections and lost just one. But the difference is that when we lost, everybody started leaving,” he added, in reference to MPs who quit Umno for Bersatu following the 2018 polls.
Acknowledging that the majority of Umno members have stayed true to the party’s cause, Johari said his concern relates to those who remain in the party, but are critical of the leadership.
The former Titiwangsa MP noted how a number of lawmakers given government positions appear to have betrayed the party.
“These individuals are worse than those who have left us.
“Before we returned to the government, they were fine.
“But once they became ministers, they seem to be the spokesmen for a different party.
“In corporate language, we say these people have ‘hilang akal’ (lost their minds),” he said, but stopped short of mentioning names.
Umno’s Ketereh MP and Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has been a vocal critic of the party, especially with regard to its decision to sever ties with Bersatu.
His frequent statements slamming Umno in defence of the outfit led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has earned him the moniker “Bersatu spokesman” among social media users.
Johari said an individual whom Umno members should emulate is former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Despite losing federal power and facing multiple corruption charges, he said, the Barisan Nasional adviser remained steadfast, showing no indication of ever leaving Umno.
“Even on social media, he has made hundreds of posts, but none attacking Umno, or its leaders and members. Not once!
“Although we have differences of opinion with Najib, frankly, when it comes to the party’s struggle, I am with him.” – The Vibes, March 28, 2021
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