Bersatu, Umno to part ways in GE15?
PUTRAJAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday chaired the party’s Supreme Council meeting to discuss the cooperation between the party and Umno, its ally in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
This followed the letter from Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on the Umno Supreme Council’s decision to cease cooperation with Bersatu in the 15 General Election (GE15).
The letter, dated Feb 26, also stated that Umno’s position within the PN government can continue until Parliament is dissolved.
Present at the meeting were Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and vice-presidents - Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin and Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen.
The party’s Information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Armada chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad and Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun were also in attendance.
Also seen were the Supreme Council members including Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
Meanwhile, Umno secretarygeneral Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the party’s decision to notify Muhyiddin that it will no longer cooperate with Bersatu in the 15th General Election (15th GE) was made after taking into account the views of the grassroots.
In a statement yesterday, he said the decision was made after careful consideration and after weighing the pros and cons of the party’s inclusion in the government while the people were facing the Covid19 pandemic.
“A special meeting between Umno, Bersatu and PAS represented by the top five leaders from each party was held on Feb 15.
“During the meeting, the prime minister cum Bersatu president asked Umno to make a clear stand on its position with regard to cooperation with the party before any seat distribution negotiations can continue to face the 15th GE,” he said.
Ahmad said following this, Umno’s Supreme Council met on Feb 19 to discuss the matter further, before unanimously agreeing for Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to notify the party’s decision (to cease cooperation) via a letter.
However, Umno was of the opinion that its current position within the Perikatan Nasional government can continue until Parliament is dissolved, he said.
Ahmad said right from the beginning, Umno had always stood firm with its stand that any form of political cooperation and unity within a coalition must be longstanding and effective based on honesty and sincerity to safeguard the people’s wellbeing.