KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today lashed out at critics of his party’s senior leaders, reminding some of them that they were only able to form the previous government with the support of Umno’s so-called “court cluster”.
While not specifically mentioning the party’s name, Zahid described Bersatu as an ungrateful bunch, saying its leaders had only managed to be offered positions in the government due to Umno’s backing.
His harshest criticism, however, was reserved for Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who in recent months has been a strong detractor of the Umno leaders involved in court cases.
“When they were in power, they gave us (Umno) so many nicknames. This cluster, that cluster,” he said when delivering his policy speech at Umno’s general assembly today.
“The court cluster; we have Bossku (Datuk Seri Najib Razak), Mat Maslan (Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan), Ku Nan (Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor) sitting in the same row (today). These three who were labelled the court cluster are the reason that person rose (to premiership).
“Without these three individuals, as well as myself, they and in particular that one individual can never dream about being the prime minister.”
Zahid’s remark is in reference to events that transpired during the infamous Sheraton Move in February 2020, when Muhyiddin led his party Bersatu out of Pakatan Harapan (PH) to form the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
Umno, then in the opposition, agreed to give their backing to Muhyiddin as prime minister.
However, a power struggle between Umno and Bersatu within the new government saw the collapse of the PN administration in August, after several Umno MPs withdrew support for Muhyiddin. Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was later named the new prime minister.
Zahid said Bersatu’s decision to cooperate with Umno, despite calling them the court cluster, is a clear indication that the party was only interested in politicking, and does not care for the interest of the rakyat.
“If they are telling the truth, why then did they ask us to support them to get them into power?”
Zahid also took issue with Bersatu and Muhyiddin’s decision to not appoint several top Umno leaders into the cabinet.
“After getting support, they didn’t want to offer positions to officials in the party, although they are more qualified to represent the party in the government.
“Only a weak leader does not want smart and qualified individuals to assist them in leading and building this country. Weak leader chooses weak followers,” he said.
Separately, Zahid also took a dig at PH, saying the actions taken by the coalition after forming the government following the 14th General Election appeared vindictive towards Umno.
The party president, however, promised that should Umno be given the mandate in the coming general election, it would not act in the same way.
“They are exerting revenge against Bossku (Najib), and even the person speaking right now,” he said.
“If we do regain federal power, if Umno and Barisan Nasional rise again, there will be no such thing as revenge.”
Zahid also described Umno as a “saviour” when the party agreed to set aside all differences to form the new government, following the crumbling of PH due to infighting and an internal power struggle. – The Vibes, March 18, 2022
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