‘THOSE WHO LEFT ARE LIKE RATS, FLIES’
They are only after opportunities, says ex-Negri MB
THOSE who have abandoned Umno and Barisan Nasional have been likened to “rats and flies” by Negri Sembilan Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Commenting on Gerakan’s decision to quit BN, as well as that of 10 Umno Rasah and Rembau division heads, Mohamed, who was former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, said he was grateful for the exodus.
“To those who have run away and abandoned BN, I say ‘Alhamdulillah’ (Thank God).”
He said those who had chosen to remain would continue the fight to champion race and religion.
The ones who fled, he said, were like rats and flies who left when there was nothing left to feast on.
“It would seem that they are merely out for opportunities. Let them be,” he said at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Kampung Tanjung in Rantau here yesterday.
“For now, we have to focus on rebuilding Umno, MIC and MCA.”
Present were Rembau Umno chief Khairy Jamaluddin, state MIC chief Datuk L. Manickam and Chembong assemblyman Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris.
In Klang, Selangor Wanita Umno acting chief Datin Paduka Norhayati Onn said Gerakan’s move to leave BN would not affect the coalition.
She said despite being a BN member in the past, there were only a handful of individuals in Gerakan who had truly worked and opened up party branches.
“There is no impact. People might see it and think ‘wow’, but in actual fact, there is no problem.
“From the political point of view, it does not necessarily mean we must be enemies and friends forever.
“We can be enemies now and be friends in the future.
“We have to be prepared (for the changes). Maybe, this had to take place because of some reasons. Just that it should have happened logically.”
Norhayati said action taken must be in line with the current political scenario.
“You can’t simply quit, leave (the coalition) and when we win, you come back.
“When there are not (enough seats given), you exit the party again.
“People will not respect (if you act that way). For me, in politics, you must have a stance.”
On whether BN would accept Gerakan again should the coalition win the 15th General Election, Norhayati said it should not do so.
“To me, there is no need. When we are down, they go. But we win, they want to be with us. They should be with us through good and bad times.
“If they want to be with us when we win, it is all too late,” she said.
Gerakan’s move to quit the coalition on Saturday has reduced the coalition to just Umno, MCA and MIC.
In Kemaman, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Gerakan’s move had shown the party’s true colours, which only wanted to be with BN when it was easy going.
“He said Gerakan should have waited until Umno receives a mandate on the direction that it will take before deciding to leave BN. Such an attitude shows that Gerakan is not a friend and as such is welcomed to leave BN.”