KUALA LUMPUR – Umno stalwart Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has revealed he is privy to details about an orchestrated plan to bring about the downfall of party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The veteran Gua Musang MP said that while the effort is surprising, it is not too uncommon for those holding leadership positions in the Malay party.
“I heard about the matter... the Malays... whoever is up, they must bring them down.
“I am not involved in such things. If I want to fight, I will do it openly,” Tengku Razaleigh was quoted as saying in an interview with Sinar Harian today.
Asked if the move to topple Zahid is to enable Umno to return to friendly waters with Perikatan Nasional (PN), Ku Li said it will not be successful.
“Not everyone wants that. Because, out of 191 divisions, 147 decided not to work with Bersatu. How do you fight such a sentiment?”
PN is chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Bersatu president.
Malays don’t accept such behaviour. We respect our elders and those more intelligent than us.
“A small snake can’t eat a python. To pressure a person with experience and position... I don’t think it would be accepted.
“Malays don’t accept such behaviour. We respect our elders and those more intelligent than us. You arrived yesterday and want to take over today – that won’t happen,” he said in a veiled reference to the rise of Bersatu to Putrajaya, despite it being a fledgling party.
Emphasising Umno’s grassroots strength, Tengku Razaleigh said that it should not have to comply with the demands of a splinter party.
“Umno is difficult to shake. PAS tried it. PAS is a splinter of Umno. These are all splinters.
“PAS exited Umno in 1951, and Bersatu has been around for one or two years. A few exited and after the general election, it won 13 seats.
“But 15 Umno MPs defected to (PN)... That is their strength, with nothing below. Like Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamad from Kelantan, who won Jeli but is from Bachok.
“He returned to Bachok with no followers. So now, he is (back) in Jeli. People didn’t follow him, because most of them are Umno.
“In that aspect, they are not strong. We want Umno as a Malay group to have strong foundations. If there is no foundation, it will be difficult to work.” – The Vibes, April 11, 2021
