Citizens’ declaration: Action against Umno members yet to be discussed

IPOH: Action against Umno members who signed a citizens’ declaration to support the move to oust Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the Prime Minister has yet to be discussed, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno vice president, said the Umno Supreme Council also had not discussed whether there was a need to hold an emergency meeting on the matter.

“We never talk about it,” he told reporters after opening the Perak Umno branches and Perak Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri movements simultaneously here yesterday.

On Friday former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir were among 50 people who signed a citizens’ declaration to topple Najib led by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed.

Ahmad Zahid also slammed Mukhriz’s allegation that the declaration was not aimed at toppling Barisan Nasional ( BN) government but to replace Najib with another prime minister.

He reiterated that the declaration could jeopardise the country as the prime minister is the leader appointed to lead the government.

“This is not about individuals but institutions that become the top leadership which forms the government and, if, this is violated, it will jeopardise the whole country. The leader represents the institution, so in this case all parties whether in the current leadership or not need to understand this principle,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said attempts to oust Najib through the declaration had a silver lining, including further strengthening the support of members for the Prime Minister and the party.

Ahmad Zahid said Umno was able to break the movement to topple the current leadership through the declaration by strengthening unity among members.

He said Umno leaders and members at the grassroots must be united to safeguard the party and face all challenges and not by finding faults with someone. — Bernama