Umno boots Daim and Rafidah out

Veteran former ministers sacked for campaigning for the Opposition

PETALING JAYA: Umno has axed two veteran former ministers from the party for campaigning for Pakatan Harapan.

The memberships of Tun Daim Zainuddin and Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz had been withdrawn, while Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim was being investigated by the party, said Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

“As for Dr Rais, it is not clear if he has spoken out against the party.

“We need to establish if he has colluded with the Opposition to derail Barisan Nasional’s victory,” he told The Star yesterday.

“As the party’s secretary-general, I will not tolerate such nonsense. I will take action. I don’t care who they are.”

Asked if the decision had the green light from party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Tengku Adnan said the clearance was sought “a long time ago and the president knows”.

“So I just went ahead. As the par- ty’s sec-gen, I cannot see the party destroyed.”

He said Daim and Rafidah were sacked for campaigning for the Opposition, which is against the party’s constitution and code of ethics.

“They are aware of this and they know what is coming. We believe in the concept of walak (loyalty) which means you listen to your leader,” he added.

Tengku Adnan said Umno and Barisan Nasional had given them many opportunities.

“So how can you back-stab us?” Daim and Rafidah have been attending and campaigning at Opposition events. Rafidah even gave a ceramah in Melaka on Friday night.

Dr Rais, meanwhile, has been vocal about Umno on social media recently.