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KUALA LUMPUR – Umno must enforce disciplinary action in line with the party’s constitution against members that publicly expose party secrets, said Umno veteran chairman Datuk Othman Desa.
Speaking to The Vibes’ sister portal, Getaran, Othman said Umno members who aired the party’s dirty linen in public are creating disharmony while disrespecting party leaders.
“Personally, I think that Umno must take disciplinary action against members who violate party rules.
“How can you expose confidential party details to the public?,” he said, stressing that Umno is not a “cowboy party”.
His comments come after former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s tell-all press conference yesterday where he disclosed that there was an internal movement within the party to topple its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the “big boss”.
Sharing a photo of a high-level meeting that discussed Zahid deferring from leadership duties, he revealed that the movement was led by Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, more commonly known as Tok Mat, who colluded with Zahid’s predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak to organise a meeting in May 2020.
Tajuddin had been relieved of his Supreme Council post in a letter issued by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan dated June 21.
When asked if Tajuddin’s revelations after being dropped as a Supreme Council member would lead to fractures within the party, Othman brushed aside such possibilities, noting that the party has experienced many trials and tribulations since its establishment.
He said that while the action of an Umno leader expressing views, assumptions and accusations in connection to another leader will not cause division among members, there is still a possibility that the party’s image and reputation might be tarnished by such actions.
“Umno is a big party with its own system and rules that will not be damaged by one or two astray views,” he said.
“Looking at the history of Umno, our deputy president who was also the deputy prime minister was fired from his post but the people still accepted us.”
He added that since the dismissal of a leader from an appointed position is common within the party, the issue should not be over-sensationalised, saying: “Just accept (the layoff).”
“It is the president’s right as the position is an appointment. Don’t raise personal issues at the cost of the party’s downfall.”
Meanwhile, Tajuddin also reclaimed yesterday that he is a “living witness” to statutory declarations (SDs) signed last year supporting opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.
He said the mantra of “No DAP, No Anwar” that Zahid constantly harped on is such an open lie to party members.
Among those who signed the SDs, according to Tajuddin, were Zahid and Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, the latter of whom later confirmed to The Vibes the existence of the document. – The Vibes, June 28, 2022