I don't know why I was labelled a traitor, says Hisham

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he was not sure why he was labelled as a traitor for signing a statutory declaration (SD) supporting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after the 15th General Election concluded.

He said that he and nine other MPs had reverted to Barisan Nasional’s decision of remaining neutral after no party or coalition was able to secure a simple majority in Parliament.

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The Sembrong MP echoed Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Ilias who said they signed the SD in accordance with Barisan’s narrative at the time.

“However, when the party decided to remain neutral (after GE15), all of us revoked our support (to Perikatan Nasional).

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“And when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had decreed the formation of the unity government, we agreed with that. How was that treacherous?” he said when met after the presidential address at Umno General Assembly 2022 in World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today (Jan 13).

Hishammuddin was one of the 10 MPs that were called out by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during a closed-door briefing on Wednesday (Jan 11).

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The Barisan treasurer also said that it would also depend on the party if it wants to take any action against the 10 MPs.

“If they want to take any action, go for it. I don’t have anything to worry about,” the former senior minister of the previous government.

Hishammuddin also reminded the party members not to use the general assembly as a platform to attack each other as the public is tired of Umno’s political quarrels.

“The general assembly should be the platform to discuss our efforts in reducing the trust deficit of the public towards the party and to prepare for state elections.

“It is better than attacking each other in the party,” he said.

On the issue of party polls, Hishammuddin said he would consider contesting for any positions in the party if the assembly reached an agreement.

“Let’s wait for the results of the meetings. I might be contesting too,” he said without specifying the position.