Umno mulls withdrawing support for PN, to seek new deal with govt

 

The Umno Supreme Council political bureau has decided that the party should consider withdrawing its support for Perikatan Nasional and set new terms for continuing its cooperation with the PN government.

The party’s secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said the matter was decided at a meeting chaired by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

“Umno will consider withdrawing support for PN and will set new conditions for the PN government to continue political cooperation through a written agreement that will be implemented as soon as possible,” he said in a statement today.

The statement did not give the reasons for the decision, but it came amid dissatisfaction amongst party members about having to play second fiddle to Bersatu despite having more MPs, and more recently, more assemblypersons in Sabah.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said the bureau also resolved that the party should propose to the Muafakat Nasional Steering Committee to register Muafakat Nasional as a formal coalition as soon as possible.

Amid the political manoeuvring, the party assured that it views political stability as of utmost importance and economic growth should be further accelerated.

Any decision made by the party is for the benefit of the people, religion, race, and the nation, he said.

“Umno will continue to champion the people’s interests and ensure the Covid-19 pandemic can be tackled effectively by the government and relevant parties for the wellbeing of the people and the country,” he added.

On another matter, Ahmad also announced the dates of Umno’s general meetings, which had been postponed to avoid the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Among others, its general assembly that was originally slated for Nov 27 and 28 has been postponed to Dec 18 and 19.

 - Mkini