We’ll focus on Covid-19 first, fight PPBM later, says Nazri

 

Nazri Aziz says Umno will put aside its differences with PPBM for now and concentrate on battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

PETALING JAYA: Umno MP Nazri Aziz agrees with the supreme council’s decision to continue supporting the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, but says it will settle its differences with PPBM later.

The Padang Rengas MP said that when the situation has improved and stabilised, then Umno will fight the “flower party” as there were still unresolved issues between them.

“There’s no need to be busy making new coalitions. We are focused on fighting Covid-19 with the current government.

“After that, we’ll fight. Our problem with the ‘flower’ isn’t over yet. But for now, we’ll support,” he told FMT, alluding to PPBM, whose logo is the hibiscus.

Nazri Aziz.

Nazri also praised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, for his advice to politicians to stop politicking to ensure the stability of the country.

He agreed that the focus should be on addressing the health situation and also the economic issues brought about by the pandemic.

“The Agong knows that the major problem right now is Covid-19. Politicians, meanwhile, are busy grappling for power. Once this is done with, we fight,” he said.

The Umno Supreme Council gave Muhyiddin’s government a lifeline last night by deciding not to work with PKR and DAP in the formation of a new government.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the supreme council had agreed that its MPs should continue to support the PN government.

The party also called for a national reconciliation initiative or national peace agenda to be implemented immediately by mobilising the participation of all political parties under the PN government as well as opposition parties.

Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi supported the party’s decision to continue backing the Muhyiddin-led government, but stressed that Putrajaya must make decisions based on consensus, citing the proposal for an emergency which Umno was not consulted on.

Puad Zarkashi.

“The correct phrase would be that Umno MPs will continue backing the PN government. In terms of Umno itself, Umno must be consulted on policy matters. Like the (proposal for a) declaration of an emergency, it must be by consensus.

“Umno’s stand is clear, the rakyat are the main agenda. That’s why Umno supported the Agong and Malay Rulers’ decision to reject the advice of the prime minister (to declare a state of emergency),” he said.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa praised Zahid for leading the party well despite facing various challenges, adding that the decision to continue backing Muhyiddin would surely disappoint Pakatan Harapan.

He said Zahid was successful in leading the party to notch numerous by-election wins and also winning several seats in the recent Sabah polls.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki considered the party’s decision as in line with the youth wing’s call for a temporary political ceasefire. He thanked Zahid and the party’s leadership for its decision last night. - FMT