Umno members say red shirt leader smeared party image

Umno division leader Datuk Jamal Yunos (wearing cap) with supporters after his release at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur last night. Jamal suggested another red shirt rally at the Chinese-dominated Petaling Street, but later denied it. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, September 27, 2015.

Not all Umno members agree with their party comrade Datuk Jamal Yunos and his "red shirt" rally.

Some grassroots members feel the Sungai Besar Umno division chief has been opportunistic with his provocations against Petaling Street vendors, and this has smeared Umno's image.

A few of them slammed Jamal's actions, calling it selfish and aimed at gaining political mileage.

"Jamal is using sensational issues for his political mileage," said Moohamad Faizal Abdul Raub of Umno's Keliang, Hulu Selangor branch.

Faizal said this was not the first time the Sungai Besar Umno division chief "tried to be a hero" as he had criticised Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and urged him to step down from his position as Umno deputy president.

"In the Tan Sri Muhyiddin case, he acted as a hero. And now for the 'red shirt' rally issue as well," Faizal said.

Muhyiddin, who was also deputy prime minister, was removed from Cabinet in July for openly criticising Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue as well as the US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) in his personal accounts.

Former Umno vice-president Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam was among senior party leaders who attended the red shirt rally on September 16. Many Umno members, however, say the rally has tarnished the party's image. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 27, 2015.Faizal said he did not join the September 16 red shirt rally where Jamal had been one of the leaders as he felt it was more for Najib's sake than to defend Malay dignity, as the rally had purported to.

"If we want Umno to be respected by Malaysians, its leaders have to be respected by Umno members first, and then it will be respected by the Malays.

"After that, only will other races respect it," he said, adding that Najib's support was shaky among Umno members after losing support from veteran leaders such as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The red shirt rally was held to counter the earlier Bersih 4 rally which called for democratic reforms and Najib's resignation.

Pro-Umno groups who organised the protest claimed that the Bersih rally had insulted Malay dignity.

But the gathering on September 16 turned racial, with calls for Chinese vernacular schools to be closed and phrases like "Cina babi" (Chinese pigs) being used.

Jamal again stirred controversy this week when he said there could be another rally at Petaling Street yesterday.

He then denied calling for a riot, saying he had been misquoted. He was arrested on Friday and released last night after having his statement taken.

Meanwhile, Tenggara Umno Youth member Asrul Esreen Mohd Salleh, 39, said Jamal and the government should emulate the success of traders at Petaling Street, a popular shopping and tourist destination.

"Ensure that the positive features of Petaling Street can be followed by the younger generation to help the Malays in the economy.

"Learn from the Chinese business associations, follow the example of their management of low-level traders, reduce bureaucracy; get GLCs (government-linked companies) to help Malay entrepreneurs," he told The Malaysian Insider.

Asrul, a former committee member in his division's Youth wing, said he did not agree with Jamal's provocations, and that Malays could learn from Chinese businesses and economic activities.

For Umno veteran Ramli Yunus, 63, Jamal's actions were a waste, as they did not address the real issues as to why Malays were left behind economically.

"It is like looking around for excuses to blame other races for what your own people had done," he said.

A trader checks his goods at a store in Petaling Street. Some Umno members feel it is better for the Malays to learn from Chinese businessmen, and not turn to racial provocations as done by red shirt rally leaders. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, September 27, 2015.Ramli urged Putrajaya to be cautious in dealing with the Petaling Street issue, especially after remarks by the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia while on a visit to the area.

Dr Huang Huikang said China was opposed to any form of extremism and discrimination based on race, and warned against the use of violence to disrupt public order.

"The visit of the Chinese ambassador is not an ordinary visit, it is to send a message. We have to be careful in this diplomatic relationship," Ramli said.

Faizal of Hulu Selangor also said he felt uncomfortable with the apparent support by the Umno leadership for Jamal's actions.

"Umno appears to be giving the group its blessing. Well, it seems to be something to divert the attention of the people away from hot issues concerning the government and Umno," said Faizal, who resigned from his post in his division in March, saying he was against Najib's leadership.

Jamal, together with Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom, also known as Ali Tinju, were the organisers of the September 16 "red shirt" rally which turned rowdy when several protesters tried to breach a police barricade at Petaling Street, causing police to use water cannons to disperse the crowd.

On the supposed rally at Petaling Street yesterday, Jamal said he had only wanted to raise concerns about the lack of enforcement against traders there by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism.

The planned protest did not take place, but there was heavy presence of police in the area.

- TMI