Should we let it be if the minister is incompetent? Puad asks

 

Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi defended his recent criticism of Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.

He said being part of the government of the day does not mean refraining from reprimanding ministers who underperform.

“In my opinion, Umno needs to have a stance, which is if there are things that go beyond limits, where there are ministers who are incompetent and incapable of managing, should we just let it be?

“They too need to be reprimanded to ensure a strong government.

“But, the bottom line is I believe that we agree that the government must be maintained because it upholds the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree, and there is no other choice, meaning if this government is weak, there will be no stability,” he told reporters after the opening ceremony of the 2023 general assembly for Umno Women, Youth, and Puteri wings at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre last night.

Puad (above) was asked about the opening speech by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who urged party leaders to use internal channels to voice criticism.

During his speech, Mohamad told delegates to close ranks and stop airing their criticism in public.

Puad had previously said that the economy minister had failed to propose any significant measures to revive the economy and chided him for having “too many formulas”.

The Umno supreme council member said a minister must be “extraordinary” to defend the current coalition government.

However, Puad’s statement was not well-received by some leaders, including Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who acknowledged that the party needs to restrain its leaders from attacking fellow members or leaders within the government.

Responding to Puad’s criticism, Rafizi reminded Umno leaders to refrain from making comments that will only push Pakatan Harapan supporters further away from them. - Mkini