Zahid: Impossible 40 MPs want to ditch Umno
SEBERANG JAYA: Umno dismissed the claim that 40 of its members of parliament (MPs) will be leaving as “impossible”, and said it was done to paint a bad picture of the party in the eyes of the people.
Its president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said the claim was made by an irresponsible party with intention to divide Umno because it looked strong despite losing in the 14th General Election.
The claim also included some parties trying to “buy” the Umno MPs to strengthen their position.
“Decisions by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) are collective and strong. Do not try to buy us, we have self-respect.
“How can Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya or even Datuk Ahmad Maslan leave the party?
“Who are the 40 MPs? Impossible that 40 Umno MPs will leave the party. I am confident all our parliamentarians are ready to remain with Umno and BN,” he said at a special meeting with state Umno leaders yesterday.
Recently, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Supreme Council member Datuk A. Kadir Jasin had said 40 Umno MPs might be joining PPBM.
Zahid said the enemies of Umno and BN were using all means to bring down the party through accusations of corruption and unethical leaders.
“They try to paint a negative perception by saying Umno has been buried because its leaders are corrupt and have failed to uphold people’s rights.
“The person has ruled the country for 22 years under Umno. The same person is saying Umno is corrupt, so how about during his time?”
Zahid said BN had agreed in principle to return six of the 13 state seats in Penang previously contested by Gerakan to Umno.
“We agreed with the suggestion by Penang Umno chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir to acquire the seats from Gerakan.
“Umno will only take six and will strengthen the existing 15 Penang seats. This would make Umno’s GE15 seat allocation at 21. We understand it is a long way to the next election, but we have to work from now,” he said.