KUALA LUMPUR – A Kelantan Umno leader has questioned the rationale behind Umno’s directive for its leaders to resign from their ministerial posts following the party’s falling out with the Perikatan Nasional administration.
Kok Lanas assemblyman Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad said this is more confounding as the country is still under emergency rule, ignited by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former state Umno secretary and state opposition leader said that the cabinet is not fully functional under the emergency, and is being primarily administered by a special panel chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhiyiddin Yassin, assisted by the National Security Council.
“Furthermore, many policies require the endorsement of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Therefore, it would not make any difference if Umno stays or leaves the cabinet,” Alwi said on the sidelines of the Umno General Assembly 2020, which ended yesterday.
Speaking to reporters after the president’s speech, Umno veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah had said the party’s leaders in the cabinet should resign from their ministerial posts, failing which, they should no longer be deemed members.
He said all Umno ministers should withdraw from the PN government in line with the party’s decision to break its political cooperation with Bersatu.
Alwi also called on Umno members to close ranks and consolidate, in light of the uncertain political outlook.
On whether Umno appears weaker now compared with the last decade and since its loss in the last general election, Alwi said that a survey needs to be done to gauge voter sentiment.
“In politics, we must apply wisdom and expertise.
“It is always wisdom that is needed; we cannot be playing to the gallery of our members only.
“The number of (registered) voters is 18 million and Umno members total some three million now... you need numbers to win.”
His advised party members to instead be friendly to all and wise in issuing statements, as politicians always need allies.
“Be friendly and try not to threaten our own friends.
“If we have a problem, deal with it nicely and communicate.” – The Vibes, March 29, 2021
