Umno rep claims Johor, N Sembilan wins have made party a political target

 

UMNO AGM | An Umno delegate claimed the party’s recent victories in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls have made it a target of both political rivals and allies.

Speaking at the Umno annual general assembly this evening, Ipoh Barat deputy chief Iqbal Jamaluddin said the party’s revival had made it a threat.

"The question is why we did not receive these political attacks the moment we formed the unity government," he said during the debate on Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s policy speech at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre.

Reminding members that it was not the first time Umno had faced such moves, he called for cooler heads and wisdom to prevail in their response.

At the AGM opening ceremony this morning, party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki claimed Umno was being attacked by those abusing their power and positions, including through the betrayal of allies whom Umno had helped reach the top.

While he did not name the parties, he is believed to have been referring to Harapan, as BN’s relationship with its rival and reluctant federal coalition partner has become increasingly tense in recent months.

The friction was fuelled by Johor BN’s decision to contest the state election on its own, which drew condemnation from Harapan.

BN is also considering cooperation with opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional as part of efforts to build a united Malay-Muslim political front.

In his speech, Iqbal urged Umno to face any court cases or MACC investigations with courage, saying this would demonstrate to voters that the party upholds accountability and the rule of law.

He also called on the party to acknowledge its past mistakes to show that it could continue to improve.

He added that Umno leaders involved in ongoing investigations should be given moral support.

"We are being pressured by Harapan with only one objective from them - they wish to weaken us," Iqbal asserted.

Yesterday, a Wanita delegate said the recent appearance of a party leader in orange lock-up attire and handcuffs at court had tarnished Umno’s image.

Padang Terap Wanita Umno chief Suraya Isa is believed to have been referring to former religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom, who recently appeared in court wearing orange MACC lock-up attire during an application to extend his remand in a probe linked to the Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry.

Thorough discussion needed

Meanwhile, Iqbal called on the party to consider its long-term political survival in any future partnerships.

He said PAS would likely want any cooperation agreement to prevent BN from expanding into states already held by the Islamist party.

"It's not that I'm rejecting it - we want unity, but there needs to be a thorough discussion.

"There needs to be an invitation to sit down together to talk about pros and cons," he explained.

On Thursday night, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan outlined several conditions for those seeking to forge pacts with the party, including accepting its “centrist” position and ambition to become politically self-reliant.

He also said that while Umno had been in “survival mode” for the past eight years since it first lost power in Putrajaya, its future must be built on “self-reliance”, rather than the calculations or strengths of other parties.

Another point of contention is who should lead any alliance between Umno and PAS, with representatives from both parties arguing that their respective camps should spearhead efforts towards ummah unity. - Mkini