No clusters exist within Umno, says Noh Omar

KUALA LUMPUR: Talk of two clusters within Umno – one aligned to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the other to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – are untrue, says Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Noh Omar.

He also dismissed claims of a rift between the Prime Minister and the Umno president, saying that their relationship remains cordial.

"We are all in one camp and we move forward together as teammates. The relationship between the president and the prime minister is very cordial.

"For example, before a recent political bureau meeting, I noticed that the two held a four-eyed meeting first.

"They had their own discussion first before the main meeting. This shows how amiable they are to each other.

"All these claims that there are two camps in the party are untrue," said Noh Omar, who is also Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, at a press conference after the launch of Usha Niaga Keluarga Malaysia carnival here on Friday (Aug 26).

Noh, who is also Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman, dismissed allegations that the party had issued an ultimatum to Ismail Sabri to dissolve Parliament immediately or be sacked as party vice-president.

Noh also denied that the Cabinet's decision to push forward the Budget 2023 tabling date was due to pressure to have the 15th General Election early.

The Star reported on Friday (Aug 26) that the tabling of Budget 2023 had been brought forward to Oct 7, three weeks ahead of the scheduled date of Oct 28.

Speculation is rife that the decision was to allow the Parliament to be dissolved soon in order for the 15th General Election to be called this year.