DAP blamed for ‘pushing’ Umno
NO CHOICE: Party had to rally with Pas to fight common enemies, says Kayveas
DAP and Bersih are to blame for pushing Umno back into a party that champions Malay and Muslim rights, said MyPPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas.
Speaking at the Umno general assembly here yesterday, Kayveas said Umno had no choice but to become “extremists themselves” by working together with Pas and other Islamic groups to fight common enemies.
He said Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his policy speech, sent a message of advice to party members as well as other Malays and Muslims on the importance of unity.
“Here they have enemies attacking from outside, including parties like DAP. The prime minister said when he asked for the 1Malaysia concept to be given a chance, it was rejected.
“If they (the other side) don’t accept the 1Malaysia concept, Umno is left with no choice but to rally with Pas.”
Kayveas said it was the action of groups like DAP and Bersih that had pushed a leader, who had been very patient and moderate, to adopt a stronger and harder stance.
He said MyPPP did not blame Umno and its leaders as they were forced to retreat to their old struggle.
Instead, he said, DAP should be blamed for pushing Umno.
Kayveas said MyPPP would remain loyal to Barisan Nasional, and that Umno had always been a good partner in the coalition.
Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Liang Teck Meng said Umno had to respond to DAP, whch had been playing the race card.
Responding to a question on Najib pointing out that DAP was the biggest threat to Malays, he said: “Well, I believe that the perception is DAP has been playing up a lot of issues, including racial ones, and Umno has to respond to that.”