If 3 million Umno members backing Najib, why bar Muhyiddin from speaking, ask grassroots
The Malaysian Insider
Barring UMNO Deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from speaking at the party’s annual general assembly contradicts claims by president Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the party’s three million members are behind him, say grassroots leaders.
They said that if Najib was confident of the party’s support, then he should not be worried about what Muhyiddin might say when he opens the Youth, Wanita and Puteri assemblies.
Some leaders said Najib’s predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, described as intolerant of criticism, had allowed his feuding deputy Tun Musa Hitam to open the wing’s assemblies.
“What the public and Umno are seeing is that Datuk Seri Najib fears his own shadow,” said former Hulu Selangor Umno Youth division official Mohamad Faizal Abdul.
“He is doing all he can to save himself and his post to the point that he is making decisions which are irrational and against the mainstream.
“Najib is so desperate now and I am disappointed that Muhyiddin is barred from opening the wings’ assemblies.”
On November 25, Umno’s Supreme Council decided that for the first time in nearly three decades, its deputy would not deliver the opening address to launch the assemblies of all three wings.
Observers believe the decision is related to the ongoing feud between Muhyiddin and Najib after the former was removed from the Cabinet in July.
Najib sacked Muhyiddin over the latter’s criticism of Putrajaya’s handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Although the Supreme Council said the decision had been at the request of the wings’ members, many of Najib’s critics in the party said it was done to silence Muhyiddin.
“What is there to be afraid of? Are not three million Umno members behind the president?” asked Kota Raja Umno division vice-chief Mohd Hamidi Abu Bakar.
As party members began to speak up against him, Najib said in August he had the support of three million members and that he would not step down.
Hamidi said barring Muhyiddin was against the party’s tradition and it was a sign of disrespect to the members who voted him in.
“It’s not a wise decision. We also want to hear the advice of the deputy president whom we legitimately chose.”
Sepang Umno division grassroots leader Rushdan Mohamed said it was an extraordinary decision which has never occurred in the party’s history.
Rushdan said even Dr Mahahtir had allowed Musa to open the wings’ assemblies when the two clashed while in office in the early 1980s.
“I really don’t agree (with the decision). Democracy is being destroyed in Umno,” said Rushdan, who is Rista Villa Perdana branch chief.
He said Najib’s actions have proven that the party was now owned by one individual.
“Umno is now a sendirian berhad.”
Another former Youth division chief, Esreen Mohd Salleh said the ban would only make ordinary members and the public even more disgusted with Najib.
“Umno members have lost faith in the president and Malays are fed up with Umno. In order to rectify this, Najib needs to resign.” – November 28, 2015.
