Attempts to weaken Umno using 'knives, pens and chequebook' - Asyraf

 

Since losing federal power in May 2018, many attempts have been made to weaken and destroy Umno through internal or external means, according to the party's youth chief.

Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said efforts to ban Umno started in 2018 through exploiting 16 of its former members on the grounds that the party had acted unconstitutionally by delaying its internal polls.

"The fact is, many Umno leaders were threatened and pressured by various agencies under Pakatan Harapan at the time.

"Efforts to weaken Umno still continues to this day through the 'knife, pen and chequebook' approach to divide the party using internal pawns, using the 'scheme of things' approach," he said on Facebook today.

While Asyraf did not further elaborate on the attempts, he had previously accused Bersatu of paying RM100 to each Umno member who joined their party, and up to RM5,000 allocation for each new division founded by former Umno members.

Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who denied the claims, also threatened legal actions against Asyraf over the allegations. 

Meanwhile, amid strained ties between Umno and Bersatu, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday alleged there were attempts to control his party, after failing to destroy it.

The Umno supreme council's decision to cut ties with Bersatu ahead of the 15th general election had also forced Bersatu's stand to focus on cooperations with other Perikatan Nasional (PN) partners. At the same time, Sabah and Perlis Umno recently said they would continue to work with Bersatu and PN.

'Nervous, panicked, couldn't face the heat'

Commenting further, Asyraf said strong-willed Umno members have remained loyal to defend the party, even at their own personal expense.

"But of course there are also those who were nervous, panicked, couldn't face the heat, and so they left the party.

"They even have the heart to attack the party that had lifted and placed them in high, respected positions.

"Ironically, these people (the group who left) were suddenly purified and we no longer hear of any further actions or charges," he added.

Even despite the attempts, Asyraf said Umno still stands due to God's protection, strengthened by the sincerity of its grassroots members.

"Everything that happens is for a reason. Now every single warrior of Umno can no longer repeat the same mistake," he stressed.  - Mkini