PH leaders mock Zahid’s ‘Umno follows rule of law’ remark

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders have scoffed at the remark made by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that only Umno followed the rule of law, and the opposition did not.

Yesterday, Zahid said that the difference between Umno and its opposition rivals were that the latter did not follow the provisions of the law on political parties.

Addressing Youth, Wanita and Puteri Umno members at the official opening of the general assembly for the three party wings, Zahid said Umno was a well-equipped and structured political party that follows the rule of law.

“We are unlike other parties which disregard regulations and laws. There are opposition parties which refuse to observe the provisions outlined by regulations and laws.

“They don’t hold branch meetings and high-level meetings are abruptly held. The constitution of the party is not observed either.

“They also name their wings as they please,” the Umno vice-president said, in an obvious reference to PPBM, which was recently informed by the Registrar of Societies that the name of their youth wing, Armada, was not in the party’s constitution.

Former Umno man and current Pakatan Harapan chief secretary Saifuddin Abdullah was of the view that Zahid did not bring any principled arguments to back up his attacks.

“A lot of time is spent on us (opposition). Most of what he said were simply shooting from the hip.

“Some of the points are laughable because Umno is known for its money politics. Also, Umno had once been banned due to its election irregularities,” Saifuddin told FMT.

PPBM supreme council member Tariq Ismail concurred with Saifuddin, saying Zahid’s comments were comical at best.

“Before accusing the opposition of not following the rule of law, he should look in his own backyard, with the many accusations hurled at his own party with regards to corruption.

“Johor Umno itself has been branded and tainted with allegations of corruption with regards to land acquisition.

“Why prosecute people based on their own perception of the law when the law itself shows those corrupt in Umno are wrong?

“Umno, under its current president, is not the Umno which was helmed by his father and my ancestors,” said Tariq, who is the grandson of former deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman.

On Zahid alluding that PPBM did not hold branch meetings and that high-level meetings were abruptly held, Tariq said PPBM had made statement upon statement with regards to its standing and the timing of why the branches have not been set up.

“I don’t think Zahid got the memo or has refused to read it ,” he said.

Zahid was also quoted as saying that PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad “reigns supreme, making decisions at his own whims and fancies,” while Muhyiddin Yassin is a “voiceless president”.

Zahid had also told the Umno youth, Wanita and Puteri delegates that the opposition “had six commanders on one ship”.

“Imagine, the ship is sailing, and these six commanders issue different commands. Where will their ship head?” Zahid had said.

To this, Tariq retorted that PPBM at least had a ship that was still floating and helmed by experienced captains.

“We are not a sinking ship that is helmed by clueless captains who are holding committees to decide what to do when the ship is sinking.

“If Umno is confident and strong they would not resort to name calling, hitting below the belt and shouting like rabid baboons,” Tariq said. -FMT