Supreme council members say maintaining discipline vital

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno supreme council members emerged from the meeting that saw the suspension of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin voicing the need for discipline.

Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said “it was a good day for Umno”.

Discipline, he said, was the most important aspect of any political party in the world, adding that this was reflected in the unanimous decision of the supreme council, which was Umno’s highest decision-making body.

“Umno showed its strength. This is a way for us to move forward.

“We have two more years to strengthen the party and the most important component is party discipline, which was reflected in the decision,” he told reporters after the meeting here yesterday.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said this was not the first time Umno had to make such a decision.

“The same decision was made in 1998 with Dr Mahathir,” said Annuar, referring to the sacking of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim then.

“As a party, we need discipline, we need collective responsibility (and) we need to follow what is in the (party) constitution.”

Annuar said the move would help to consolidate the party for the 14th general election, adding that the party needed to work hard.

“How can we work if those who are in office do not fulfil their rightful duties?

“Because we strive to continue our duties to the public and we wish to contest in the elections, that is why we have to make this bitter decision,” said Annuar.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who had chaired the discussion to suspend Muhyiddin during the meeting, said the decision helped the party.

“The fact is that the decision has been made and the decision means that we want to look forward.

“I hope that we will look forward by working together as a team. This is an important move for us to move forward with the rakyat. It represents the will of the grassroots,” said Hishammuddin.

Another supreme council member, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, asked for all Ummo members to understand and accept the decision.