Ahmad Maslan: Umno won't capitalise on Bersatu rift after Hamzah's sacking

PONTIAN: Umno will not take advantage of internal turmoil within Bersatu following the sacking of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said today.

Seventeen Bersatu leaders, including Hamzah, who was deputy president, were sacked by the party's disciplinary board.

Among them were supreme council member and Machang member of parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and Sungai Manik assemblyman Zainol Fadzi Paharudin.

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Ahmad said Umno's position was to strengthen itself and Barisan Nasional on their own merits, rather than exploiting divisions within rival parties.

"We do not want to take advantage of the disunity or problems of other parties. Let Umno and BN be strong based on our own strength, not because of what happens to our political opponents," he said.

Commenting on speculation that former Bersatu leaders could be welcomed back into Umno, Ahmad said any decision would rest solely with the party's supreme council, should formal applications be made.

"If they apply to join Umno, then Umno supreme council members are at liberty to consider the matter. That has always been the process," he said.

Ahmad said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier outlined three guiding political principles at the party's general assembly.

The first, he said, was rumah bangsa, which positions Umno as a political home for the community; while the second was musyawarah berteraskan warak, emphasising consultation guided by moral restraint, integrity and accountability rather than expediency.

He said the third was kolaborasi agung, promoting broad-based cooperation, to frame future party decisions.

"These three political principles were clearly outlined by the president and will be taken into account if such applications arise," said Ahmad.

Hamzah's dismissal from Bersatu has fuelled reports of internal fractures within the party, and tensions among its leadership ranks.

Ahmad, however, stressed that Umno would not act opportunistically, adding that unity and discipline within its own ranks remained the party's priority. - NST