PPBM: Umno can only attract members with bribes

The party cannot be saved and does not deserve to be saved, says PPBM deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir.

BUTTERWORTH: Umno is in such a weak state at present that its leaders have to bribe their members just to participate in events organised by the party, says former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

He said lavish gifts ranging from drones, cars, motorcycles and even low-cost homes were handed out freely as part of “lucky draws” to entice members to attend the party’s annual general meetings in Kedah.

“Umno members today are being fed with ‘dedak’. This is the situation in Umno today,” Mukriz said, using the Malay term for “chicken feed” to refer to a bribe in cash or kind in exchange for support.

The PPBM deputy president also claimed that Umno was giving away motorcycles, cars, and homes under the government’s People’s Housing Programme (PPR).

“This is what they have to do just to get people to attend an Umno division meeting.

“The party cannot be saved and does not deserve to be saved,” he said, adding that it was one of the reasons he and former Umno deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin had criticised Prime Minister Najib Razak, and was sacked as a result.

Mukhriz was speaking at a ceramah at the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) field in Kepala Batas here last night, as part of the nationwide “Jelajah Semarak” tour with PPBM and Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as well as Muhyiddin, who is PPBM president.

Meanwhile, Mukhriz said Umno has had its glory days, when his father led the party.

“Umno had done a lot for the people, but it was an Umno that was led by Mahathir, and his legacy in the party is indelible,” he said. FMT