For Umno's survival, Tajuddin says BN-Harapan alliance possible

 

An existential threat to Umno means the party cooperating with Pakatan Harapan, including DAP which it had demonised as anti-Malay and anti-Islam, is not beyond a possibility.

This is according to Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman who was asked to respond to speculations about a BN-Harapan alliance.

"Anything is possible in politics, you cannot rule it out," he told a press conference in Bangsar today. 

Tajuddin said Bersatu is systematically trying to "steal" Umno members all the way to the grassroots level in an effort to shrink the party.

This is despite both parties being part of the federal ruling coalition.

"The story is like this, Umno at present feels that there is a possibility that it may be killed off (dikuburkan) based on current political developments.

"Umno does not have any position or financial resources in the government that can help strengthen the party.

"Umno members are being stolen for Bersatu to form branches across villages. This will surely threaten Umno's survival at the grassroots level," he said.

The Umno election director claimed a large amount of money is being expended for this purpose.

"We suspect they want to become bigger so that Umno will be reduced to a small party.

"Even in the government now, Umno occupies only small positions," Tajuddin said.

Tajuddin Abdul Rahman

The Pasir Salak MP added that Umno favours working with PAS in the next general election but the latter is leaning towards Bersatu.

He likened the situation to a married couple who is now looking for a new partner.

"We hope that PAS will be loyal to us as we have been loyal to them under Muafakat Nasional. That was PAS' promise but now they are wavering," he said.

He also dismissed some Umno leaders' insistence that the party should not cooperate with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and DAP.

He singled out Umno's Ketereh MP Annuar Musa who is the strongest opponent to such an alliance.

Annuar's Ketereh division is only one of two out of 191 Umno divisions that is supportive of cooperating with Bersatu.

"There is no end to his statement... but it's only a few people," he said.

Asked if this could lead to a split among Umno MPs, Tajuddin said it will not require all 39 MPs to stand as one to bring down the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

He pointed out that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's Budget 2021 only passed with 111 votes against 108.

For now, Tajuddin said he cannot confirm whether BN will pull out of Muhyiddin's administration.

"But the discontent towards Bersatu which leads the PN government cannot be denied," he added.

He said the matter will be discussed at the Umno supreme council meeting. - Mkini