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KUALA LUMPUR – The recent bombshells dropped by Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman on Umno’s internal rumblings will not lead to a split, said secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan in dismissing the existence of a crisis.
He is attempting to allay concerns of infighting, including the supposed factionalism between party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In a tweet today, Ahmad said Zahid had even reaffirmed the party’s position during its Supreme Council meeting last Friday, saying that Ismail Sabri will remain Umno’s prime minister candidate and “poster boy” heading into the polls.
“There is no crisis as is being publicised. The prime minister takes care of the government, and Zahid takes care of the party.
“Umno will not split because of the Tajuddin issue. Just let him focus on his duty as ambassador (to Indonesia).”
In a series of exposés on Monday, Tajuddin revealed the existence of statutory declarations (SDs) supporting opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister amid the ongoing political crisis in 2020.
Tajuddin, who is Pasir Salak MP, said among the signatories was Zahid, adding that the Umno president pressured others into supporting the move.
He also disclosed how 15 Umno MPs under Zahid and Datuk Seri Najib Razak had refused to support Ismail Sabri as prime minister following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation in August 2021, until they were called in for an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Separately, Tajuddin revealed that there was an internal movement to oust Zahid as party president, with a high-level meeting taking place in May 2020, before the plan fell apart after deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan backed out.
Responding to these allegations, Zahid had yesterday said party members ought to decide for themselves whether to believe Tajuddin's claims of the existence of SDs in support of Anwar.
He also told members to respect the party constitution which ensured his election into the top post, and that any move to oust him should be done via the proper channel.
In another tweet yesterday, Ahmad had posted a list of achievements accomplished by Umno under the guidance of Zahid, in what appears to be an ostensible move to rally party members support behind the president.
Among others, he said Zahid had led Umno to victory in seven by-elections, regaining control of the Perak government, and winning comfortably in the Melaka and Johor elections.
Ahmad said the biggest achievement has to be when 15 Umno MPs led by Zahid had withdrawn support for Muhyiddin last year, resulting in Ismail Sabri’s appointment into the hot seat. – The Vibes, June 29, 2022