I am embarrassed over Zahid’s move, says Ku Li

 

Tengku Razaleigh says that when Umno leaders joined the Cabinet, it was only to stabilise the situation during the political crisis.

KAJANG: Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has shot his harshest criticism yet at party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying he is “embarrassed” over the decision to join a presidential council made up of members of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.

This is because he said Barisan Nasional (BN) was not a member of PN.

“I am embarrassed or find it very strange for him (Zahid) to have accepted to be in the presidential council because Umno is not a member of PN,” he told reporters after a forum, here.

He further asked Zahid “Where does Umno come in? Umno doesn’t come in at all.”

He said when Umno allowed a few of its members who were selected to be ministers in Muhyiddin Yassin’s Cabinet, the move was to stabilise the political crisis the country was facing earlier this year.

“That’s all. And we thought after the stability of the political scene, Umno (inaudible) should withdraw from the Cabinet.

“That was the idea. Not to be there forever,” he said.

A week ago, parties in the government, comprising components of PN, BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) all agreed to form a presidential council.

The council comprises the leaders of each party.

The decision to set up the presidential council was agreed to by party leaders including prime minister and PPBM president Muhyiddin, Umno president Zahid and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, among others.

Ku Li: We have an illegitimate government

Asked on GE15, he said that due to Covid-19, the elections should be delayed.

However, he said, the only way forward was to have a motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Ask the Speaker to allow a motion of confidence,” he said, adding that people can then see if Muhyiddin has the support.

Asked if he would take a break from politics, he said that will depend on his party.

Razaleigh, commonly known as Ku Li, said the present government was illegitimate and that was why he refused to vote for the government’s 2021 budget.

“There is no meaning of voting for the budget as it is an illegitimate government,” he said.

At the forum organised by the National Council of Professors, Ku Li was also asked on the reasons why Umno has weakened.

He said members needed to sacrifice for the party and not indulge in self-interest.

“But now, it involves vested interest and there are elitist groups. Other problems (involving rakyat) are not looked into,” he said.

Ku Li said the rakyat no longer felt like they were a part of Umno as the party is seen as one for the elitist group. Due to that, he said, the party needed to get more youths involved. - FMT