FORMER president Najib Razak and Sungai Besar chief Jamal Md Yunos are among 15 Umno leaders asked to “take a break” while the party recovers following its 14th general election defeat.
The 15 names were brought up during a recent party retreat in Janda Baik, and the proposal received support from a majority of members, an Umno insider told The Malaysian Insight.
“Najib and Jamal topped the list. It is not about denying their contributions to the party.
“But, it is because they are not well liked by the people, following the opposition’s (government’s) character assassination (against them).
“They can still contribute to the party, but not at the front line. They should rest first. Otherwise, it would be hard for the party to regain support.”
However, he declined to reveal the other 13 “blacklisted” by Umno.
Najib, who is Pekan MP, skipped the retreat as he was due to attend court on August 10.
The former prime minister has been charged with three counts of money laundering, three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of misusing his position.
Jamal, too, was absent from the retreat.
The Red Shirts leader was recently charged with two counts of trespassing on two gambling premises in Taman Kosas, Kuala Lumpur, two years ago, and with escaping police custody at the Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital on May 25.
During the two-day retreat, attended by Umno’s central leaders, wing leaders, division chiefs and MPs, the party discussed its role as the new opposition, and what it could offer the people.
It also discussed proposals to get rid of the tradition of appointing its president as prime minister should the party win in future general elections – or as opposition leader, if otherwise.
“Power needs to be returned to the president and Supreme Council to check the prime minister or opposition leader,” said the source.
“We have seen what happened during (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad), Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and Najib’s time when they were Umno president and prime minister.
“When trouble happened, the party got dragged into it, too. Nobody could reprimand (them).”
However, the party leadership did not make a final decision on the matter at the retreat.
The source said Umno is also vetting members after discovering that some had openly supported Pakatan Harapan in GE14.
“Branch chiefs are identifying the members involved. They will submit the list to state liaison committees.”
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
My suggestion is retreat for good. With all the scandals expose all of you should be walking with your head covered with paper bag
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