Isma: Sidelining Muhyiddin reflects badly on Umno

Isma president says Umno's public perception may be damaged and supporters of the party's deputy president may be angered.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ikatan Muslim Malaysia (Isma) has criticised Umno’s recent directive that the chiefs of its various wings open their own meetings at the upcoming General Assembly as a move that will reflect badly on the party.

Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman said the move, that breaks with the tradition of having the party’s deputy president officiate at the openings, would only give rise to rumour and affect the perception of Umno.

“The public may develop their own views about the party and these could affect Umno’s public perception,” he told FMT after opening the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Summit.

Abdullah also said that if Umno failed to provide a solid explanation to the grassroots on why this move was adopted, it would only add to the party’s burdens and anger supporters of Muhyiddin Yassin.

“The move has sparked various questions, the whys and whats? … And all may not be answered satisfactorily.

“When questions are left unaddressed, I think it will add to Umno’s burden, and this burden is heavy,” he said.

Abdullah Zaik made these comments in the wake of a recent announcement by Prime Minister and party President Najib Razak that the respective chiefs of the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings would open their own meetings during the Umno General Assembly from December 8-12.