KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s suggestion for Umno to work with a political rival has raised grassroots members’ suspicion of his intentions, said a branch leader.
The former prime minister yesterday mooted the idea of working with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but the proposal was shot down by both Barisan Nasional and the Umno Supreme Council.
The move, however, triggered speculation among ordinary party members, who are now questioning Najib’s motives, Setiawangsa Umno deputy chief Datuk Mohd Irwan Rizal told The Vibes.
“We have heard the Umno Supreme Council’s stand. We reject Anwar and we reject DAP. We echo our president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) and still give our support to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister for the time being.
“However, this won’t stop us from being critical.”
Based on his engagement with grassroots members, he said there is still distrust towards PKR and DAP, and that Najib’s remarks do not reflect the party’s stand.
“Many, including myself, don’t agree with this at all. We don’t agree with Najib’s statement. We can’t see his logic, and he didn’t give an elaborate explanation.
“It’s my opinion that his statement is a personal one, and does not reflect the entire party.”
He said Umno would rather work with Muhyiddin despite the prime minister’s bid to put the country under emergency rule being rejected by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. – The Vibes, October 27, 2020
