UMNO’s decision not to work with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the 15th General Election will be the most eagerly awaited item of discussion on the agenda at the party’s annual general meeting that began yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, however, is not fazed by a decision that he says is “nothing new” and something that the Umno grassroots want.
The following is an excerpt from Ahmad Zahid’s exclusive interview with Sunday Star in which he addresses that decision, whether the 75-year-old party is truly as split as analysts claim and if he will defend his post at the party polls later this year.
How do you think the decision not to work with Bersatu in GE15 be greeted at the general assembly?
Actually, this was made known when Umno decided that all its MPs should give Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin en bloc support to become Prime Minister. They (Bersatu) understood when we said the support will cease once Parliament is dissolved. It is really beyond comprehension why this issue is being raised now.
Umno’s supreme council passed a resolution saying that we are not going to cooperate with Bersatu for GE15. That was a majority decision – the majority of Umno divisions passed the motion. Of course, there are a few, especially those holding ministerial positions in the Perikatan Nasional Cabinet, that are now rejecting it.
What will happen during the assembly is that a motion on this subject will be tabled and will be passed, insya Allah. It will be raised again although delegates and grassroot members are already aware of it. It will just be a reiteration.
There was a social media study conducted in which 147 out of 191 divisions participated, and the result was that Umno should not go along with Bersatu. We then legitimised the survey into a motion and during divisional AGMs, 124 out of 190 divisions tabled and passed the motion. (Why 190 divisions instead of our original number of 191 is because the Tanah Merah division in Kelantan was suspended.)
This is a decision that was made by our grassroots because during divisional AGMs, delegates came from branches.
We have enough information from the ground that the people want Umno and Barisan Nasional to lead the country again.
Why are the party grassroots unwilling to work with Bersatu?
Because they felt ill-treated by Bersatu leaders, being passed over for appointments such as village heads and on village development and safety committees.
Perhaps Bersatu regards these as petty issues but these grassroots (members) feel that, as political partners, the party should have shown some level of sincerity and should have considered Umno grassroots when filling positions.
But some in Umno believe that it would be better for the party to go to the polls with Bersatu and PAS, don’t they?We had the intention earlier but after several incidents, we decided not to. For one, discussions about Budget 2021 and the Emergency proclamation did not include Umno. There are other instances, including during the Sabah state election (when this happened).
However, the door is not fully closed on them. Umno can pick any sincere party to form the next government if we win the most seats in GE15. For now, no negotiations are being held with them or any other parties like PKR and DAP.
Will Umno be cooperating with PAS in GE15?
Currently, under the spirit of Muafakat Nasional, yes. We hope they will come with us. But it is up to them.
If they feel that they are more comfortable with any other party, they can go ahead. After all, they are now a component party of the Perikatan coalition.
In political partnerships, there should be sincerity. When there is sincerity, then there will be trust.
Despite the decision not to work with Bersatu, Umno MPs are remaining in the Perikatan Nasional Cabinet. Why is that?
Umno is “loaning” our good talents to Perikatan Nasional. This is to ensure that the government remains stable and well-run. This is our contribution to the government.
There is talk that Umno polls will be postponed – is that true? If not, will you be defending your post?
Umno will go ahead with party polls. The party practices and respects democracy and we must observe it. The party needs a fresh mandate to chart its future.
I am the incumbent. So, yes, I will defend my post. But for now, let’s concentrate on the general election. I hope it will be held before party polls.
Will you have a team to contest along with you?
Team? No, I don’t want to. I don’t believe in having a team.
In the previous election I opened it to everybody to offer their service although the party had decided during the 2017 annual general assembly that two posts – president and deputy president – should not be contested. When I took over the presidency (in 2018), I overruled this.
Choosing a team will only lead to camps and warlords in Umno. We should not narrow the choices to small groups for party members to choose from. This will only split the party.
Anyone can contest any post, and whoever wins should give their best when serving the party. I did not pick anybody as team members when I contested in the party polls in 2018 and I will not do so this time.
An Umno leader has claimed the reason for the tension between Umno and Perikatan is because you did not get a Cabinet post. Is this true?
No, that’s not the reason. What the leader claims is immaterial.
Is there a split in Umno?
This is what some political observers and pundits are trying to portray. But in reality, the answer is no. They claim that we have many clusters in Umno. Yes, I will admit that we have a cluster – and that is the Umno cluster.
Some leaders make statements that do not tally with party sentiments. That’s all right because I entertain differences in opinion.
But in the end, when and whatever the party decides, that will be Umno’s stand.
How is Umno preparing for GE15?
We have started up the party machinery and have embarked on a training programme known as “Bangkit15”. So far, the training has covered about 40% of our divisions.
This election, we will not know when Parliament is going to be dissolved so we need to prepare ahead of time.
Have you chosen candidates?
Right now, our priority is looking at the seats. We have divided them into seats that we will retain and those we will regain after losing them in the last GE (in 2018).
The seats that we will contest will be based on this. There is no point in contesting many seats but the number of wins is fewer. We have to decide based on the political reality.
On candidates, this will be the best time for Umno to choose winnable, likeable and acceptable candidates. But my first criteria in choosing candidates will be loyalty to the party.
What will be your message to Umno delegates at the AGM?
We need to learn from what happened in 2018. That will be our lesson. But now, we have to stop wallowing in self pity because we lost the election.
This is the time that we pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and move forward to face the next election and secure our triumph. This should be our goal.
I also want to remind party members to stand united. It is only when we are one that Umno can remain strong to weather challenges.
Alhamdullillah, despite the party’s loss in the last election, not a single one of Umno’s 22,000 branches were closed. I believe that Umno is still strong and relevant, regardless of what some may think.
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