‘BE BOLD, REMOVE EX-PARTY PRESIDENT’
Move will ensure rakyat’s support, says ex-Umno veep
WITHOUT mentioning any name, former Umno vicepresident Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Chik said there are those who believe that the party should terminate the membership of its former president.
This, Rahim said, was if Umno wanted to reform and rebuild its image, and as a show of commitment that Umno was against corruption.
“Many love and respect the former Umno president, including myself. I have fought alongside him during our Youth days.
“But if his membership is terminated, the rakyat will see a major political sacrifice and a huge reform in this sacred party.
“This is needed to ensure that the rakyat keeps supporting the party.
“The rakyat will appreciate that Umno’s main responsibility is to them, in our struggle for the country. This is far bigger than struggling to defend the interests of any one individual.
“It is not that Umno members do not love their former leaders, but we love the sacred struggle of Umno more and do not wish to see it come to an end.”
Rahim described the move of criticising former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s presence at the Sungai Kandis byelection campaign as “brave”, adding that this was what Umno needed.
He claimed that many party members concurred with Titiwangsa Umno chief Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani.
Johari had said Najib’s presence had a negative impact on Barisan Nasional’s chances in the by-election.
BN lost in the Sungai Kandis byelection to PKR by some 5,000vote majority.
“With more Umno members becoming bold in stating their opinion and standing up for the truth to rebuild the party’s image and integrity, which were destroyed in the 14th General Election, the more wiser Umno’s leadership will be in eradicating the rakyat’s hatred towards Umno, which came about due to kleptocracy and corruption.
“But if Umno members are shy to open their mouths and fear to speak the truth for the future of Malays, then pay the price. Accept things as they are.”
Najib has been on the receiving end of criticism from fellow party members over the past few days, with Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa describing him as “baggage”.
However, party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi came to Najib’s defence, telling those criticising the latter to “not kick a man when he is down”.