PETALING JAYA: Umno supreme council’s decision to suspend Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy president will only lead to the party losing more of its support, former Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir claimed.
“I am deeply disappointed. Again, they have made a decision like this just because Muhyiddin, much like me and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, had criticised the president and his actions,” he said in a statement.
“Umno and Barisan Nasional will face the wrath of their actions in the next general election,” said Mukhriz, who quit his Mentri Besar’s post on Feb 3 after what he claimed had been an 18-month orchestrated plan to oust him.
Earlier yesterday, before the suspension was announced, Mukhriz said that the duty of the deputy president was not just to assist the president.
“The deputy should be chosen based on his ability to replace or take over the role of the president when needed.”
He said he was worried that Umno would lose its relevance if people realised it no longer benefited the nation.
“I must say that if Muhyiddin is betrayed, then Umno will lose a lot of support, especially from those sitting on the fence,” he added.
In Johor Baru, leaders from Pagoh Umno said they were appalled by the news.
Pagoh Umno Youth chief Mohd Zaid Abd Rahman felt that the supreme council had acted hastily without thinking of the repercussions.
“They should have at least allowed the party’s disciplinary board to investigate whether it was really necessary to suspend him,” he said when contacted.
Asked whether their members would hold a rally as a show of support for Muhyiddin, as warned by Mohd Zaid earlier, he said they might put the gathering on hold as a division meeting had been scheduled today in Pagoh.
“Our initial reason to gather for a meeting was to address grassroots issues but it looks like our agenda is likely to change,” he said.
The division’s Wanita Umno chief Noriah Mahat conceded the council had the power to suspend Muhyiddin but she said that this did not necessarily reflect the grassroots’ sentiments.
“It’s the MT’s (Majlis Tertinggi) decision but it is truly sad news for us,” she said.
Meanwhile, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said some would be happy with the outcome and others saddened by the suspension.
“But as a party, we have to move as a whole,” he told reporters at the launch of the World Kite Festival.
Mohamed Khaled, who is also a supreme council member and Johor Barisan Nasional liaison committee chairman, said he could not attend the meeting as he had to accompany the Sultan of Johor at the festival.
Although he was not present at the meeting, he said he understood the need for the deputy president to back the party president in carrying out his duties.
Asked about the implications of such a decision on Johor Umno, Mohamed Khaled said: “The party deputy president is a position chosen by the whole country, not just Johor alone.”
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
