Umno-Bersatu relations: Muhyiddin says wait for official announcement

 

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party’s decision on its relations with Umno will be announced by Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin.

“There is a decision, but it will be announced by the Bersatu secretary-general in a statement later,” he told reporters.

Muhyiddin said this after the party’s supreme council meeting in Putrajaya today.

Earlier, Bersatu was reported to be discussing the future of its relations with Umno this evening, as well as Umno’s position in Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Among those present at the meeting were Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu and party vice presidents Ronald Kiandee, Radzi Jidin, and Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen.

Also present were information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan, youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad, and women chief Rina Mohd Harun.

Other supreme council members sighted included Saifuddin Abdullah, Mustapa Mohamed, Mohamed Azmin Ali, and Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Earlier, Umno had sent a letter to Bersatu stating its decision to terminate its inter-party cooperation once the 15th general election is announced.

This morning, Hamzah confirmed that Umno president Zahid Hamidi sent the letter on Feb 26.

Meanwhile, sources told Malaysiakini that Bersatu will abide by Umno’s wishes.

“We will follow Umno’s wishes. After all, this request came from Umno, not Bersatu,” the source said.

When asked, Hamzah told reporters that what is important now is political stability because it is beneficial to the rakyat.

He said all parties in PN are appreciated because it helps maintain the present government for the time being.

“We are all celebrating PN’s first year and our focus should be in that direction. We want to discuss with everyone, thank everyone, and that should be what is important.

“Because what is important now is the stability of this government. When talking about political stability, after a year, we are aware all parties are cooperating.

“(We) want to ensure everything we do is beneficial to the rakyat,” he said while urging reporters outside the meeting to wait for his official statement. - mkini