Ahead of Umno powwow, Hisham and KJ plead against snap polls

 

Two Umno cabinet ministers who are not members of the party's supreme council have voiced disagreement with a snap general election.

Party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had reportedly sought the support of the party's 189 division heads during a meeting last night to pursue a withdrawal from the Perikatan Nasional Plus government, which would trigger a snap election.

The wishes of the 189 division heads, among other issues, are expected to be discussed by the supreme council when it meets at 8pm tonight.

In a statement today, Hishammuddin Hussein, who is the foreign affairs minister, reminded Umno leaders that the country was still facing the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The Umno leadership is heading the Defence Ministry, responsible for our safety and the war against Covid-19. We head the Health Ministry, which is the leader of the frontliners. We also head the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, which is working hard to secure vaccines.

"We should be committed in our effort to provide the best for the rakyat. To me, this is the hope that is being placed by the rakyat on the Umno leadership, not endless politicking to seek power.

"To the supreme council members who are meeting tonight, (I hope) the party members and rakyat will have clarity on what Umno wants. Make the best decision possible," he said.

Meanwhile, Khairy Jamaluddin, who is the minister for science, technology and innovation, tweeted that anyone calling for a snap polls during the pandemic was "irresponsible".

"Those calling for GE before the pandemic is brought under control are irresponsible and I know that there are those seeking a snap election from my own party. Don't be selfish," he said.

Both Hishammuddin and Khairy would not have a say when the supreme council meets tonight.

Earlier today, another key Umno figure, Annuar Musa, accused Zahid of repeatedly seeking snap elections during the Covid-19 pandemic to destabilise the Perikatan Nasional Plus government. - Mkini