KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin has poured scorn over ex-Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin’s allegations that underhanded tactics have been employed to ensure that top party leaders are not challenged for their positions.
Speaking to reporters at the 2022 Umno general assembly here today, Megat, who is also Selangor Umno chief, lambasted the party’s former youth chief for acting in a “shameful” manner.
“Coming from a (former) Youth leader, his statements are very uncalled for and do not reflect political maturity,” he said briefly when questioned on the matter.
“It is an embarrassing statement that should not have been expressed (regarding) the Umno general assembly, which we hold in high regard.”
Earlier today, Khairy took to TikTok to claim that stealthy manoeuvres have been put in place to prevent Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan from facing competitors over their positions.
@khairykj Adakah usul NO CONTEST akan diluluskan? #umnomalaysia #fypmalaysia?? ♬ original sound - Khairykj
In the four-minute-long video, Khairy said that he believes the voting session on the additional motion for the top leadership posts to remain status quo will be “bulldozed”.
He also asserted that name tags have been removed from delegates’ seats in the hall where the voting will take place, ostensibly to facilitate the entry of “imported delegates” into the hall and vote in support of the motion.
In response, Umno information chief Isham Jalil made several Facebook posts of the hall, calling on Khairy to explain his claims.
“This is the situation in the Merdeka Hall now. Please tell me, where are the ‘ghost’ delegates, Khairy?” he questioned, adding that “slander is worse than murder”.
Yesterday, Negri Sembilan delegate Mohd Shukri Samsudin tabled the motion calling for the party’s top two positions to remain uncontested, a move which was greeted by mixed reactions from the gallery.
While some delegates cheered during his proposal, others could be heard expressing their disdain through jeers.
Voting is currently being conducted for motions tabled throughout the general assembly. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023
