Umno MPs' met with Azmin to discuss projects for constituencies - Zahid

The meeting between Umno parliamentarians and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali last night was merely to discuss the channelling of government projects to their various constituencies, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

However, the Umno president added, the meeting was carried out in a manner which contravened previous advice given by the opposition leader in Parliament, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, which led many parties to speculate on its objective.

"I received information… that the meeting was held to satisfy their (Umno MPs’) voters in getting government projects to be channelled through allocations to them as MPs.

"However, it created a perception... The opposition chief had before this reminded that any meeting must be done en bloc (by the opposition pact).

"And the meeting venue must be at Parliament, as this would appear better and be more appropriate," Zahid told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex this afternoon.

Zahid held a press conference today to clear the air over the meeting which took place at Azmin’s official residence in Putrajaya last night.

The two-hour meeting was reportedly attended by least 22 BN MPs and five PKR MPs including Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang MP) and Deputy Transport Minister Kamaruddin Jaffar (Bandar Tun Razak MP).

Azmin (photo, above) is also economic affairs minister.

Zahid, who is Bagan Datoh MP, added the party was taking note of the grouses raised by Umno members over the meeting.

The party leadership is on par with the disciplinary committee’s decision to investigate under existing regulations, and would leave it to the committee to reach any decision on the matter.

Umno disciplinary committee chairperson Mohamed Apandi Ali said in a statement today it was expecting to receive complaints about the meeting and would be probe the matter using existing procedures.

'Do not go against the party's policy and decisions'

During the press conference, Zahid also stressed on the need for all Umno members, including its parliamentarians, to toe the line and follow decisions taken by its leadership.

He said any member should not compromise with any bloc in the government or any of its leaders.

"...and any action taken by anyone (from the party), they must not compromise with any bloc in the government or any leader who represents the government.

"Be it on a personal capacity, or through any unsanctioned doors, because the party's decision is the official decision," he said.

"And we hope that there would be no attempt to act in any way that is not according to the Supreme Council and party's official decisions," Zahid added.

Asked about BN parliamentarians supposedly torn between supporting current prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Zahid said: "When we make decisions, they must be done en bloc."

He also dismissed a question on speculation that the Umno MPs who met Azmin last night were planning to form a new party, saying that he had not heard such a thing. - Mkini