KUALA LUMPUR – Umno's Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN) did not mince his words when he launched a scathing attack on some of the senior leaders in his party for their continuous pestering of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He particularly named Umno number two Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan as among those whom he said are threatening to derail the good work of the current government.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, the vocal politician said he is extremely disappointed by the action of Mohamad, popularly known as Tok Mat, to issue an “ultimatum” to Ismail Sabri.
This is in relation to the Umno deputy president’s remark on Monday telling the prime minister to resign if he fails to get the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s approval to dissolve Parliament soon.
“What kind of statement is this? This is a statement as though you are pressuring the prime minister,” he said when debating the royal speech today.
“I am upset because he is one of the key leaders in my own party. If we continue to pressure the prime minister like this, how is the government going to carry out its work for the rakyat?
“So please, stop it. I’m sorry, I am just a small fry in my party, so I am forced to voice out my views here in Dewan (Rakyat).”
Speaking to the press in Johor two days ago, Mohamad had said that Umno will continue to push for an early general election, whether Barisan Nasional wins the state election.
He said Umno will urge Ismail Sabri to dissolve Parliament and that if he fails to convince the king, it means he no longer has the trust of His Majesty and should step down as prime minister.
Umno is currently divided into multiple factions, with one led by president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and the other supposedly by Ismail Sabri and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Respect PM, cabinet decision to not allow further EPF withdrawal: Tajuddin
Separately, Tajuddin also lambasted former party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak (Pekan-BN) after the former prime minister earlier today urged the government to allow the rakyat for further withdrawal of the Employees Provident Fund.
He noted that the cabinet had already decided on the matter, and that all parties ought to respect it.
“Pekan should also respect this decision. The prime minister made the decision not to allow withdrawal in the best interest of the rakyat, not for his personal interest.
“If the rakyat were to withdraw all their savings, what would happen in the future? The decision has been made. We as followers should follow. Place some trust.
“If we are going to question everything that is decided by the prime minister and cabinet, what kind of government do we want, then? I think this is unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, Tajuddin claimed the existence of “Little Napoleons” within the government, including cabinet members, who are out to sabotage Ismail Sabri, including by deliberately ignoring orders from the prime minister concerning the rakyat.
Among other things, Tajuddin said these ministers are purposely sitting on requests made by MPs for people’s projects and programmes for months on end.
“I pity the prime minister. He is a good man. He doesn’t know how to fire people. Plus, if he was to sack anyone, there would be threats from a certain party to pull the plug.
“I don’t want to mention which ministries are involved, because then they will be too embarrassed. But whoever bites the chilli will feel the heat.
“There are also requests made not just by government backbenchers, but also from the opposition.
“If you ignore them, then you will have a part to play in their failure to serve their constituency.” – The Vibes, March 2, 2022
