Umno rep on Mustapa – Gem turns out to be glass

Kelantan opposition leader Md Alwi Che Ahmad cited the Malay idiom “kusangka kau permata, rupanya kaca (I thought you were a gem, but turns out you were glass)” when commenting on Mustapa Mohamed joining Bersatu.

Speaking to reporters in Kota Bharu this morning, he said the former Kelantan Umno chief, who is popularly known as Tok Pa, is not an icon as portrayed in the past.

“The problem is we gave the impression he was an icon, he was everything. Actually, he is not an icon,” he added.

Md Alwi said Mustapa's exit from Umno should be viewed from a political perspective.

“There is no enmity in politics, there are only different opinions. He chose (to leave Umno). It is his choice... He probably has his reasons,” he added.

Md Alwi said he was disappointed that Mustapa, who is also the Air Lanas assemblyperson, did not turn up for the state assembly sitting this morning.

“If he turned up, perhaps we can ask (why he chose to leave),” he added.

The former international trade and industries minister, who had been in Umno for four decades, had announced his resignation from the party last month.

He said this was because he believed the party's current direction was "no longer in line" with his political principles and that there had not been "significant efforts to rejuvenate the party".

Mustapa had joined Bersatu last Friday. - Mkini