KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi slammed Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for casting aspersions that Umno quit the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government due to pending court cases involving its MPs.
The Umno president in a Facebook post last night said Muhyiddin’s accusations are improper and rude.
“The accusations hurled at Umno are absolutely untrue; accusing Umno of not supporting PN because (Umno MPs) have not been freed from being prosecuted (in court).
“Umno regrets that claims are made to that extent (by Muhyiddin) to preserve (his) position.”
Zahid said the current administration has already ridiculed the royal institution, played out democracy, manipulated the law and lied to the people.
“(The PN government) is willing to lie to divert the people’s attention from the main issues of failure and loss of support.”
In a jibe at MPs who defected to PN earlier this year, Zahid said those who want to save themselves from court prosecution may do so by becoming “frogs” that are now comfortable on the other side.
Tidak benar langsung tuduhan yang dilemparkan kepada UMNO. Sangat kasar dan tidak senonoh. Menuduh pimpinan UMNO tidak...
Posted by Zahid Hamidi on Thursday, August 5, 2021
“(The people) can see ‘woodpeckers’ that need to be satiated with ‘dedak’ (rewards) under the new cage in which they are now.
“The truth is that they have failed to use Umno as their shield to defend their power and position,” he said, in another jibe at Umno lawmakers who opted to support Muhyiddin and his government.
The Bagan Datuk MP stressed that Umno leaders should continue to defend the party, so it does not deviate from its foundation – to serve the people.
“Umno is a political party owned by the people. Since its establishment, the party and the people cannot be separated. It has also upheld and defended the institution of Malay rulers since independence.
“Umno heirs must not deviate from this philosophy and spirit for any reason. Loyal party leaders must firmly defend their stand, agenda, dignity and identity for the party, people and country.”
Zahid said the decision to pull out from PN is merely translating the voice of the grassroots during the Umno general assembly, “even if that means having to deal with prosecution and tremendous pressure”.
His response comes after Muhyiddin, in a special announcement on Wednesday, said he has informed the king that he will prove his legitimacy as prime minister by allowing a motion of confidence to be tabled in Parliament next month. – The Vibes, August 6, 2021