JOHOR BARU: Umno members should not be making “a thousand and one” demands as if the party is still strong and dominant in the government, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Umno vice-president said the party was often put in a tough spot by its members who called for them to stop cooperating with Pakatan Harapan.
“Remember, we cannot act as if we are still the dominant party (in the government) and make a thousand and one demands.
“When those demands are not met, they are followed by threats. Do not forget, we are only a small part of the government and sharing power,” he said in his opening speech at the Pasir Gudang Umno division yesterday.
He pointed out that when a unity government candidate won in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election in Selangor, such voices were not heard.
“But when the Pakatan candidate lost in the July 6 Sungai Bakap by-election, there were voices within Umno calling for the party to cut ties with its unity government partners.
“When party members attack Umno and its leaders, this puts us in a tough position. This may also cause conflict with the other parties that we are working with in the government.
“This could further complicate the situation,” said Khaled, who is also Defence Minister and Kota Tinggi MP.
He noted that Umno was playing the “long game” by partnering with Pakatan in the unity government for five years.
The cooperation also provides Umno with the space to rebuild the party and gain more support as the representative of the Malays and the Malay struggle, he said, adding that in order for a long-term plan to work, party members must give it time.
“If we remain weak and with no power, what can we do from the sidelines?
“We will have no bargaining power and no say in policy-making.
“By being in the unity government, at least we still have influence, visibility and a say at national level,” he said.
Khaled added that Umno ministers would also voice out in the Cabinet against matters that went against its cause.
“This is a strategic arrangement, not a compromise of principles and values, even though we are working with Pakatan, which includes DAP,” he said.
He called on party members to instead focus their energy on engaging in service-based politics and offer modern solutions and ideas to win over voters.
“This will set Umno apart from other Malay-based political parties,” he added.
