Umno: We’ll back Dr M if need arises

Party will support govt policies that benefit the country and people, says Mohamad

KUAlA lUmPUR: Umno does not rule out the possibility of supporting its nemesis Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the event of a vote of no confidence in Parliament, said deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Umno will support government policies that benefit the country and people, and will not “oppose for the sake of opposing”, he added.

“It all depends on the situation. If it’s needed for the greater good, why not?

“Being in the opposition does not mean that we will just oppose. We will support public policies that are passed for the benefit of the people and country,” Mohamad added.

Asked by reporters if he would “work together” with Dr Mahathir, Mohamad merely said: “If there is a need, we will support”.

He was speaking to reporters after a joint press conference with PAS’ top leaders at PWTC to announce Umno’s formal cooperation with the Islamist party yesterday.

According to Mohamad, Umno isn’t afraid of PAS’ initial pledge last February to support Dr Mahathir if there is a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

“Why should we (be afraid)? For Umno, when it comes to such issues, we make the best decision for the party and the country,” he added.

On Feb 17, PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said that the party had pledged to support Dr Mahathir in the event of a “betrayal” from within Pakatan Harapan, following a meeting between the prime minister and the party’s top leadership.

For a vote of no confidence to succeed in the Dewan Rakyat, it must have the support of at least 112 out of 222 MPs.

At present, PAS has a total of 18 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, while Umno has 37 MPs.