Disciplinary action against Umno, BN MPs over SD cannot be 'frivolous' - Khaled

 

Disciplinary action taken against any Umno member or BN component party for supporting Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister cannot be "frivolous".

In saying this, Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin stressed that such action should follow due process and be "fair" to the persons involved.

"Everything must follow a process, cannot be done carelessly so that justice is served to those involved," he said briefly on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly (AGM) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

Khaled (above) was commenting on the remark by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during his policy speech that the party will take action against those involved in the matter.

This was in reference to the 10 BN MPs who reportedly inked statutory declarations (SD) supporting Muhyiddin to become prime minister following the political stalemate after the 15th general election, in what is dubbed the “St Regis Move”.

The Bagan Datuk MP also related how from the onset, there were attempts within Umno to betray the party as the government was being formed through the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

According to Khaled, who is also the higher education minister, Zahid's warning to all Umno leaders and members is justified, given the party's vulnerable position.

"First and foremost, there must be agreement and cooperation within the party."

The 10 BN MPs who reportedly signed the SDs and later withdrew them are as follows: Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong), Hasni Mohammad (Simpang Renggam), Wee Ka Siong (Ayer Hitam), Jalaluddin Alias (Jelebu), M Saravanan (Tapah) and Wee Jeck Seng (Tanjung Piai).

Also named were Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (Tampin), Adnan Abu Hassan (Kuala Pilah), Arthur Joseph Kurup (Pensiangan) and Abdul Rahman Mohamad (Lipis).

'Unaware name was listed'

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman said that he was unaware that his name has been listed as one of the 10 MPs who supported Muhyiddin.

"My name is there? I didn't realise. I don't watch the news," he told reporters briefly when met at the AGM.

Lipis MP Abdul Rahman Mohamad

Abdul Rahman, who is also deputy works minister, did not deny that he was one of the 10 MPs but said he was not aware that his name has been included.

"I'm not denying, but I do not know (about name in the list). Even if it was, what's the problem?" he asked.

Asked about Zahid's speech where he had hinted at internal sabotage, Abdul Rahman said it was merely advice to remind Umno members to remain united.