KOTA KINABALU: Stop trying to create imaginary factions and create discord among Umno members, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
The Sembrong Umno division chief described such actions by certain quarters purposely trying to make those within the party, particularly its leaders, clash with each other as “unhealthy”.
This is after a list that went viral online, supposedly containing the names of senior Umno leaders who will be part of a so-called dream team in the party’s new leadership line-up in the era after the leadership of president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Personally, I feel such attempts must be stopped,” said the Defence Minister during an event at the Sepanggar navy base near here on Friday (July 1).
“I hope there will be no parties, no matter at what level, trying to take advantage (of the current situation) by adding fuel to the fire and making our leaders fight.
“This is not only unhealthy but also portrays and sends a message to outsiders that we are irresponsible. So, my personal advice is - stop it,” the Sembrong MP added.
When pressed about the alleged list, Hishammuddin, who is also Barisan Nasional treasurer-general, said jokingly: “There will be more lists coming up when the party election is near... that is what I learned from experience."
“This is not exclusive to Umno or Barisan but occurs in other parties as well where there are such mudslinging, so it wouldn’t be fair to attribute the phenomenon solely to Umno,” he added.
Towards this end, he, however, warned that the rakyat would punish Umno should the party allow such matters to persist.
He said the people had the mandate to decide which party they preferred as their government while Umno members have the authority to choose which leaders to support in the party polls.
“But we are already fighting with each other despite not reaching that stage yet,” Hishammuddin said.
He added, however, that Umno has gone through this before and dealt with them properly in the past, believing the party would come out stronger from the latest situation.
“What we have learned from veteran leaders who had to come face to face with greater battles is that such matters will not reduce Umno to a party that the people cannot rely on.
“So, from this, I hope it will convince the public that they can still rely on our party to ensure the nation’s security and to uplift the economy.
“It is up to us if we want to rise up and deal with such issues effectively,” Hishammuddin said.
Earlier, the Senior Minister in charge of the security cluster witnessed the handing over of two AW139 helicopters to the navy to utilise in their efforts to protect the country’s shores in Sabah.
Hishammuddin said the two helicopters were part of three procured for the navy, with the remaining unit scheduled for delivery in September this year.
With the delivery of the AW139 units, he said the 503 Squadron was subsequently formed within the navy.
The squadron is tasked with, among others, monitoring the maritime zones as well as to conduct maritime domain awareness exercises.
Besides that, the unit will also be deployed for special operations, search and rescue, medical and casualties evacuation and help in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
