KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth and Puteri delegates have called for the removal of the party’s enemies from within as well as leaders who have betrayed the party.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki described their presence in Umno as detrimental to the party, adding that such “traitors” should be removed immediately so that they would not cause any more damage to the party.
“Umno Youth has never wavered from its stand of defending the party’s leadership without fear or favour.
“We want the ‘enemies from within’ who put their own interests over the party’s to be removed before they become cancerous and destroy us,” he said in his policy speech at the wing’s meeting yesterday.
Without referring to anyone specifically, Asyraf said treacherous acts had affected Umno’s credibility and contributed to the party’s poor performance in the 15th General Election.
He said it was hard to imagine how certain leaders, who had lived luxurious lives built on the sweat and tears of Umno members, had now resorted to demonising the party and its leadership simply because they were not chosen as candidates (in the general election).
Asyraf also chided party leaders who claimed to be “heroes” who wanted to save Umno from its current predicament.
“As if he were the only noble, perfect person. Is Umno so desperate that one person has to be made a minister many times over? Is the leadership that lame to let such leaders contest despite repeated betrayals?” said Asyraf.
Federal Territories delegate Mohamed Nizham Abdullah Hamidi also backed calls to get rid of traitors within the party’s ranks.
“We also cannot tolerate those enemies from within,” he said.
Puteri chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan said Umno members who acted treacherously should face action.
She added that if there is a split in Umno, the party would not be able to help resolve the issues faced by the rakyat.
“To those who are forming their own parties within Umno, stop it. Those who behave treacherously should face action,” she said.
She said Umno members should learn from other political parties that backed their leaders when they were attacked by outsiders.
Such parties would not demand that their leaders step down when they are besieged, unlike what some members of Umno were doing, she said.
Langkawi Umno puteri chief Ummi Kalsom Abu Muthalib said those who had turned their backs on the party should not be given another chance, calling on members to support president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also now spearheading the country’s transformation in the government.
Federal Territory division puteri chief Norbaiti Sabar also said the top leadership must also be united and protect the party from negative perceptions from inside and outside the party.
“When we win (elections), we celebrate and are happy with the president. But when we lose, the blame shifts to him as if it is his fault,” she said.
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