“UMNO will lose all its seats if the rakyat understand the issues surrounding 1MDB, Tabung Haji and FELDA.”
This sharp and concise remark by National Amanah committee member Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh seems to explain the basis of UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi challenging Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to call a general election for a fresh mandate or formally expel Barisan Nasional (BN) from the Madani government and face a no-confidence vote.
It’s not about the BN chairman being bold and fearless by brushing aside calls for BN to quit the ruling coalition as if UMNO’s support is crucial to ensure stability within the Madani government.
But beneath all the ultimatum brouhaha that the BN chairman has triggered over the past 48 hours or so, there is still one bargaining chip that he cannot let slip – the “still hanging” Sword of Damocles above his head.
This is by virtue of his currently awaiting a High Court decision on his application for a full acquittal from 47 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
His “Guru” may be away in India/Maldives for a five-day working visit but he could eventually show up at the classroom with a big rotan to discipline his grossly misbehaved “pupil”.
To refresh the mind, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) informed the court that they decided to take “no further action (NFA)” on the case following further investigations with the prosecution not objecting to his bid for a full acquittal following the granting of discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in September 2023.
Pact with PAS the ultimate saviour
However, the Malaysian Bar was granted leave by the Court of Appeal in May 2026 to launch a judicial review challenging the AG’s decision to drop the charges, thus complicating the path to a final resolution.
As it is, the Kota Raja Amanah division has shared on Threads yesterday (Sept13) that the “Federal Court is ready to hear that appeal petition on Oct 8”.
That the “47 charges” serve as a ransom to buy his loyalty to the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led unity government has brought cheer to Madani backers that the judicial review can be weaponised against the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) following the perceived backstabbing which is getting more incessant.
Strategically speaking, the fact that his “Guru” is firmly holding the golden key to his fate further explains desperation on UMNO’s side to revive the ‘Muafakat Nasional 2.0’ pact with old foe PAS which has so far has borne fruits as evident with sound victory in the July 11 Johor and Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan state elections.
Imagine if the pact can topple the PH coalition at the national polls which UMNO wants to be expedited, all delinquent “pupils” from the so-called court cluster can expect to be spared the rod thanks to PAS’ exquisite stand on corruption.
Although the Islamist party states that it rejects corruption and promotes clean governance, its supremo Tan Sri Hadi Awang often claims that non-Muslims are the main source of graft while anti-corruption drives are often abused political weapons by the power that be.
In his keynote address on Friday (Sept 11), Zahid even expressed sympathy with former Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and former religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom who have been implicated in the recent hajj fund’s Royal Commission of Inquiry’s (RCI) findings.
Moreover, he has also welcomed Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to the 2026 UMNO General Assembly held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTC KL).
Recall that the former Baling MP was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Sept 9 with using his position to secure the chairmanship of a of Putrajaya Perdana Bhd with an annual remuneration of RM690,000 alongside the use of a BMW 7 Series with a full-time driver.12 years ago.
Meanwhile, Jamil Khir is scheduled to be charged at the same court today (Sept 14) in connection with an investigation into Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) arising from a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has reportedly recommended three charges against the former minister under Section 403 of the Penal Code for dishonest misappropriation of property. – Focus Malaysia
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.