KOTA BARU – Talk of disciplinary action against Umno veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is unbecoming as his support for the Save Kelantan Alliance is an effort towards a better Malaysia, said an aide.
The aide, who preferred to not be named, added that the Gua Musang MP has maintained a statesmanlike position and stayed above the nitty-gritty of everyday politics.
“His ultimate aim is for a better Malaysia, unlike now as the country is besieged by corruption and an erosion in the capabilities in the public and private sectors.”
He said Tengku Razaleigh is saddened to hear that some quarters are lobbying for him to be disciplined for accepting the offer to be the patron of the Save Kelantan Alliance.
The bloc seeks to align those against PAS to contest against the Islamist party in Kelantan in the coming general election.
“Ku Li (Tengku Razeleigh) was invited to be the patron. And he agreed as the alliance consists of various parties who feel that Kelantan remains a backwater despite PAS being in power for more than three decades.”
An invitation was extended to all parties to attend a gathering at Razaleigh’s home here recently, but Umno declined.
PAS chose to be with Bersatu rather than consolidate the Malay Unity agenda under Muafakat Nasional with Umno, said the aide.
“Surely Umno does not want PAS in Kelantan. The party has fought PAS for the past three decades. This is a chance for the Umno-led Barisan Nasional to make inroads in the state.
“So, it is a farce if Umno wants to act against Ku Li.”
When asked about possible disciplinary action against Tengku Razaleigh, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on May 7 that his party respects and is open to differing opinions.
“If the party’s disciplinary board wants to take action, it would not just be against him but others such as former leaders, parliamentarians, and Supreme Council non-members. It is up to the disciplinary board to take any action it sees fit.”
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan on the same day said there were no discussions over possible disciplinary action against Tengku Razaleigh over his meeting with the opposition in Kelantan recently.
Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz last Thursday urged the party’s disciplinary board to take action against Tengku Razaleigh for remaining in the independent bloc. – The Vibes, May 11, 2022
