Wanita Umno delegate: Don't tarnish party's image with 'orange suit, handcuffs'

 

UMNO AGM | A Wanita Umno representative has expressed sympathy for a party leader in Kedah who was brought to court in orange lock-up attire and handcuffs, saying the situation should not be used to tarnish the party’s image.

Padang Terap Wanita Umno chief Suraya Isa is believed to be referring to former religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom, who recently appeared in court clad in the orange MACC lock-up attire during an application to extend his remand in a probe linked to the Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry.

Representing Kedah in the debates on Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad’s policy speech, Suraya affirmed Umno’s respect for the investigation.

“But do not oppress anyone before the investigation is complete and do not spread hatred against Umno,” she said at the party’s annual general assembly at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTC KL) today.

Suraya added that Umno would not protect those who were truly guilty from punishment.

“But if there is an element of revenge or intention to bring someone down, there is no need for that,” she added,

Fraying ties

Umno is weighing cooperation with opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional amid tensions with federal bedmate Pakatan Harapan - a partnership that was triggered by the hung Parliament result in the last general election.

The relationship between BN and Harapan began to publicly break down after Johor BN decided to go solo in the state election, but with an understanding with PN to avoid multi-corner contests, triggering strong backlash from the other coalition, which viewed the decision as a betrayal.

A similar arrangement followed in the Negeri Sembilan state election.

Harapan suffered significant losses in both elections, as straight contests vastly benefitted BN and PN.

Since then, tensions between the two coalitions have become increasingly obvious, particularly after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently raised a funding dispute involving his and Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim’s ministries.

Right behind Zahid

Suraya also commented on the increasingly tense relationship between Harapan and BN, saying Wanita Umno will remain steadfast behind Zahid when the chips are down.

“We want cooperation, but not a cooperation that erodes Umno’s dignity and standing.

“If at some point we have to make a choice, then we support the stance of the party president to hold the 16th general election earlier,” she added.

After BN swept the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls in what it termed a “blue wave”, speculation pointed to the coalition pushing for an early GE16 to capitalise on its political momentum.

Zahid has affirmed this, but added that BN is also prepared for the current parliamentary term to run its full course.

In response, Anwar indicated Harapan’s openness to an early general election but stressed that the government’s focus remains on public wellbeing and clean governance, Berita Harian reported.

However, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke urged Anwar not to bow to calls for an early dissolution of Parliament as long as the latter commands majority support.

Loke also downplayed the public friction among the ruling coalition partners, saying there was a distinction between political manoeuvring and governing, as no party had left the government. - Mkini