Umno has change of heart, backs PN and calls for 'political ceasefire'

 

A week after reconsidering its support for Perikatan Nasional (PN), Umno has now called for a “political ceasefire” and said it will strengthen its cooperation with all PN parties.

This was announced in a four-point statement by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who laid out the party’s official stance on several matters.

Among others, he said the party will commit to a political ceasefire so that tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic impact on the people can be prioritised.

It would also back the PN government’s efforts to stemming the pandemic and its economic cost on the people.

“(Umno will) direct all party leaders who are currently in the cabinet to give full concentration on efforts to help the people and relieve their burden as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic impact.

“Cooperation with all parties in the PN government should be strengthened to ensure political stability at a time the country faced the Covid-19 threat and economic uncertainty,” he said in the statement today.

On Oct 13, Umno’s political bureau chaired by Zahid passed a resolution to consider withdrawing its support for PN and set new terms for continuing its cooperation with the PN government.

The Umno supreme council was expected to discuss this at a meeting scheduled yesterday, but it was abruptly called off citing conditional movement control order (MCO) restrictions in the Klang Valley.

The move came at a critical juncture where PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is relying on support from Umno MPs to bolster his majority claim in the Dewan Rakyat. - Mkini