KUALA LUMPUR – The question of political cooperation between Umno and Perikatan Nasional (PN) will only be finalised in the Umno Supreme Council meeting this Thursday, said Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
The Melaka Umno liaison chief was quoted by Melaka Hari Ini as saying that whether such cooperation will exist in the state election will be discussed in detail in the meeting.
“Just wait for the meeting. Anything (regarding the matter) will be discussed in the meeting on Thursday,” he told the online portal.
On Sunday, party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the meeting was to discuss Melaka’s political crisis.
Ahmad said Rauf and caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali will present to the Supreme Council all recommendations and measures on what must be done after this.
“Of course, the president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) and deputy president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan), as well as the prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob), will give their views on the political situation in Melaka,” he told reporters after meeting state Umno liaison committee members in Klebang on Sunday.
Rauf chose to keep mum when asked if Umno is ready to face a three-cornered fight in the state election.
“We don’t know yet. Just wait for the meeting this Thursday for any possibilities,” he said.
Yesterday, former Melaka chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik was reported as saying that Barisan Nasional and PN have allegedly failed to find a formula to avoid a three-cornered fight in the state election.
‘No third-party interference in Melaka administration’
Meanwhile, Melaka state secretary Datuk Kamel Mohamad denied allegations that there was third-party interference in matters and decisions made by the state executive council.
He said the allegations raised by former Sungai Udang assemblyman Datuk Seri Idris Haron were baseless as all decisions made were final and collective.
“It is not true that the decisions need to be referred to a third party either before, during and after the meeting,” Kamel said.
Kamel was reported as saying that the Melaka state administration also took seriously Idris’ accusations that the state executive council was selective and racially biased in making its decisions.
He added that it always took into account the interests of all the people of Melaka, disregarding race and religion.
Therefore, he said his party will examine whether there has been a violation of the oath of secrecy taken by members of the executive council as every exco member had taken an oath of secrecy not to disclose either directly or indirectly any matter brought for consideration with the executive council.
“The state government will not hesitate to take legal action if there has been a violation of the oath of secrecy,” he said. – The Vibes, October 12, 2021
