Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan's statement yesterday regarding the outcome of the party’s supreme council meeting on Wednesday was in contradiction with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's stance, claimed Arau MP Shahidan Kassim.
This came after Ahmad said Umno MPs may exercise their own discretion in exercising their vote on any matter in the upcoming parliamentary session, but must be guided by party decisions.
Despite Ahmad’s statement, Shahidan (above) said Umno and BN parliamentarians will adhere to Zahid’s earlier statement that the party’s MPs will have leeway to decide whom to support during Dewan Rakyat proceedings.
“The Umno president had stated that its MPs can use their discretion during any vote at the parliamentary sitting and will continue to support the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
“However, referring to Ahmad's statement on July 8, there is an additional rule imposed on Umno MPs where they have to use party decisions as a guide in performing their duties in Parliament.
“This does not reflect the decision announced by the Umno president.
“Therefore, we Umno and BN parliamentarians will adhere to the statement made by the Umno president, which is to give MPs the freedom to exercise their own discretion during voting,” Shahidan said in a statement today.
Ahmad’s statement yesterday came as “additional details” to the Umno supreme council decision a day earlier to withdraw support for Muhyiddin Yassin to serve as prime minister, as announced by Zahid yesterday morning.
“The supreme council has also decided that when Parliament convenes, Umno MPs can use their own discretion whenever a vote is called.
“However, it should be understood that all party decisions should be used as a guide by Umno MPs in performing their duties,” Ahmad said.
Shahidan, who is also the PN Backbencher’s Club (PNBBC) chairperson, thanked Umno and BN parliamentarians as well as PNBBC members for continuing to support Muhyiddin.
“Hopefully we will all put emphasis on efforts to fight Covid-19 and bring harmony to the people, rather than continue politicking in the pandemic era,” said Shahidan, who was ousted by Zahid from his post as Perlis Umno chairperson in April. - Mkini
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