Muhyiddin predicts end of Umno under Zahid

In touting Bersatu’s rise as the leading Malay political power in the country, party president Muhyiddin Yassin has predicted the “end of Umno” under its present leadership.

While refraining from mentioning any names, Muhyiddin, in his keynote speech at Bersatu’s 5th Annual General Assembly today, made clear references to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the “individual” responsible for Umno’s demise.

“Umno led by this individual no longer prioritises Malay political power but has become a tool to further Pakatan Harapan’s rule.

“For us and the majority of Malays, this is the end of Umno. It is the final nail in Umno’s coffin.

“Umno’s rise and fall is none of our concern. What is of concern is the future of Malays and Muslims in this country.

“The longer we allow them to rule, they will cause more potentially irreparable destruction,” said Muhyiddin who claimed Umno can no longer be relied on to protect the interests of Malays and bumiputera.

Earlier in his speech, he also swiped at the ongoing Umno election which saw Zahid and Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan retain their offices based on a motion passed by the party’s general assembly to prevent any contest for their posts.

Following the conclusion of a Registrar of Societies probe based on complaints by an Umno delegate, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail exempted the party from being deregistered under the Societies Act 1996 for going against its own constitution.

“Democracy has also died in Umno.

“The party’s constitution is breached in such a way just to protect the interest of an individual,” claimed Muhyiddin, who also alleged Zahid is being kept in his role to retain support for Harapan.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

'Bersatu now bigger than Umno'

Overall, Muhyiddin said Bersatu’s cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN) partners PAS, Gerakan, and SAPP has led the party to outperform Umno in the last general election, with an increase from 14 parliamentary seats to 31.

He noted that Umno, on the other hand, only won 26 Parliament seats, from 54 previously.

“Now our party is bigger than Umno. In just seven years, Bersatu has outperformed Umno that is now 77 years old,” he said.

Muhyiddin in his speech also alluded to PN’s failure to form the federal government after GE15, describing it as God’s test of the coalition’s perseverance.

At the same time, he said growing support for PN could spell success for the coalition in the 16th general election.- Mkini