Umno Semporna urges caution on Shafie, other critics

Shafie Apdal brought Umno to Sabah and the party under him would never die in the state.

KOTA KINABALU: The Semporna Umno division led by Vice-President and sacked Federal Minister Shafie Apdal has urged caution, in a statement, on reported plans by the Supreme Council to axe seven leaders and former leaders from the party over their allegedly continuing criticism of the leadership on the 1MDB scandal. “Will removing, suspending or sacking the Umno leaders and former leaders who have contributed to the party’s struggle, help regain the rakyat’s confidence in it?”

“Is Umno so strong today that its fundamental struggle is not for the rakyat’s interests but for the interest of certain leaders? Is 1MDB bigger than the party?”

The statement stressed that Umno was bigger than 1MDB. “Plans to purge Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s opponents from the party may hurt its chances in the next General Election.”

“For the first time, in the last General Election, the Barisan Nasional (BN) lost the popular vote.”

Urging that every vote was important for Umno’s survival, the division stressed that the seven leaders and former leaders reportedly on the chopping block have not only their supporters in the party but also in their respective states.

It referred in particular to Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin in Johor and Shafie in Sabah. “Shafie was the founder member of Umno in Sabah,” the statement reminded. “He brought Umno to Sabah and that’s why he said, after he was removed from the Cabinet, that the party under him would never die in the state.”

Both Muhyiddin and Shafie, the statement stressed, have never accused the Prime Minister of being personally involved in wrongdoing on the 1MDB scandal and related issues. “Their statements have only called for 1MDB and the Ministry of Finance to be transparent, honest and consistent in explaining issues which have caused concern among the rakyat.”

“Ousting the seven leaders and former leaders would erode the confidence of members, particularly the youths, in the party.”

Leaders and former leaders, who have contributed to the party, the state and the nation and with distinction, said the division, cannot be simply removed over a government company. “They are voicing out the people’s concerns on 1MDB and other issues.”