Put the people above the party, urge Umno allies

PETALING JAYA: Umno’s erstwhile partners are still reeling from the move by certain leaders in Barisan Nasional’s biggest component party to cut ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and put the Perikatan Nasional government at risk during a pandemic.

A Bersatu leader has called for her party and Umno to continue working together to face the next general election.

“The best scenario would be to maintain close cooperation to face the next election after the rakyat have been vaccinated (against Covid-19).“I believe the people would prefer to see leaders working together in looking after their welfare during these trying times, ” said Beaufort MP Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun when contacted yesterday.

She added that leaders should be setting a good example instead of sowing discord among allies.

Perikatan women’s wing secretary and Lembah Jaya assemblywoman Haniza Talha said certain Umno leaders should stop politicking and adding to the people’s woes.

“It is clear that Umno is getting more desperate for power, to the extent of overthrowing the government and putting aside the people’s welfare, ” she said in a statement.

She added that Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also gone against the Yang di-

Pertuan Agong’s recent decree for politicians to put aside their differences in facing the pandemic.

“The efforts of the country’s leaders in battling Covid-19 will be wasted due to the worsening politics, ” she said.

Separately, MIC has joined MCA in questioning the removal of Tan Sri Annuar Musa as Barisan Nasional secretary-general without consulting all component parties.

MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran said the party was also not informed about Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan’s appointment to replace Annuar.

He said the removal was legitimate as there was nothing in the Barisan constitution saying such a removal would have required consultation with the component parties.“But you cannot appoint anybody as secretary-general unless it is done through the Barisan supreme council, ” he told Bernama when contacted.

Barisan is led by Umno with the other component parties being MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup agreed with MCA and MIC.

“No agreement, no consensus from the Barisan supreme council, ” he said.