Umno VP to Wan Saiful: Umno is no one's lifeline

Umno will never serve as a lifeline for Bersatu, said party vice-president Khaled Nordin.

"What is certain, Umno is not a lifeline to save any party, politician or leader.

"Umno will only serve as a lifeline for the Malays," said Khaled (photo, above) in a statement today.

He said Umno had a tradition of sacrificing for its true partners. For instance, he said Umno had a history of ceding seats it can easily win for its BN partners and sharing resources.

"Therefore, Bersatu should be the one sacrificing and working hard to build up their strength for Perikatan Nasional to be strengthened. They should not be asking Umno to sacrifice.

"To be a strategic partner, Bersatu must show its own strength and show value that can benefit Umno," he said.

This was Khaled's response to a statement by Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan yesterday, who said Umno must "sacrifice a lot" to ensure PN's viability.

Although Wan Saiful never elaborated, it is likely that he was suggesting that Umno would need to accommodate Bersatu in the seat distribution for future elections.

During the 2018 elections, Umno fielded 120 candidates for Parliament while Bersatu fielded 52 candidates.

Bersatu, primarily made up of former Umno members, currently heads the PN coalition.

Umno won't forget

Khaled also stressed that Umno has not forgotten that Bersatu was made up of its former members.

"Umno can tell friend from foe. We know who is loyal and who is only trying to gratify themselves.

"Umno will not sacrifice itself and grant a lifeline for those who left Umno when the party was on a low point.

"To these people (I say) Umno might forgive them but will not forget," he said.

The Umno of today, said Khaled, will only sacrifice themselves for Islam, Malays and Malaysia, and they would be punished by voters again should these ideals be pushed aside.

"Umno is aware and has repented. Its survival depends on Malays and non-Malays, not temporary political cooperation that was (decided at levels that were) not representative of the entire party.

"Umno has invited Bersatu to join its grand mission. This is a sincere invitation. Perhaps it is time Bersatu needs to sacrifice for the Malays and join Umno to strengthen BN.

"The choice is clear. It is up to them," he said. - Mkini