KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi has described the sacking and suspension of party stalwarts as a “total cleanup”, calling for those affected to make a choice following the party’s decision.
“The sacking was pretty hard but necessary. If one truly loves the party, kindly appeal (the decision).
“(For those suspended), if there is no appeal, wait for six years. Unless they have made their choice,” he said.
In a Facebook post today, Puad said the “total cleanup” decided during Umno’s Supreme Council meeting last night, was made in line with party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call during the presidential address at the 2022 Umno general assembly, recently.
The sacking of former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Selangor Umno liaison chief Tan Sri Noh Omar, along with the six-year suspension of former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif, former Umno Youth exco member Datuk Fathul Bari Mat Jaya, and Tebrau division chief Datuk Maulizan Bujang, he said, was not shocking.
“The party must be brave against those who have daringly slandered the party. Bersatu also sacked Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
“PKR also sacked Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Tian Chua and Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin. Nothing extraordinary.”
The “extraordinary” act, he said, was Khairy’s decision to slam the party and the president during the general election campaign.
“The party was made to be a ‘black sheep’ to win over votes.”
Hishammuddin’s acts, described by Puad as even “more extraordinary”, include his incessant sidelining of Umno, bringing Umno MPs over to Azmin’s residence, and calling for Sabah Umno chief to join Bersatu.
“The main mastermind behind BN MPs signing SDs in support of (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) was Hishammuddin,” he said.
Following the party decision, the Rengit assemblyman said many have speculated that youths will run away from Umno.
“We ask now, how many youths did they bring in to support Umno’s struggles?
“Was the decision democratic? It was decided under the recommendation of the Umno disciplinary board. It was not the president’s decision. But this time the president had brought the recommendation to the party’s supreme council
“Usually, the Umno management committee chairman would bring the disciplinary board’s recommendation,” he said.
Noh, who was present during the party’s supreme council meeting, yesterday, he said was “confused”, having accused Zahid of making his own decision.
“This was different when Dr Mahathir sacked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Dr Mahathir brought the recommendation to sack Anwar without going through Umno’s disciplinary board,” he said.
The former Tg Karang MP, Puad said, was not sacked due to the issue of the motion of no competition for the number one and two positions in the party.
“He was accused of party sabotage during the 15th general election (GE15).
“There were 16 reports of sabotage lodged against Noh.
“Not sure why Khairy was fired. But Khairy went too far. Denigrating the party and the president during the GE15 campaign is outrageous.
“His slander of phantom voters during the 2022 Umno general assembly had malicious intent.”
Addressing questions on whether the party will break, Puad said that will be the narrative exploited by anyone who is unhappy.
“The party however has long been divided by those who love to go against the party’s decision.
“After Umno lost power during the 14th general election, there were leaders that stayed away from Umno as they feared being seen with the court cluster.
“They were afraid of prosecution as the MACC had called them. They remained sitting outside the fence and stabbed the party from the back. Now they are sacked or suspended. What’s wrong if they once again sit outside the fence?” he added. – The Vibes, January 28, 2023
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