Malaymailonline
Muhkriz’s ‘normal dinner’ gets surprise as Dr M, Muhyiddin, Shafie drop in
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 ― It was supposed to be a quiet dinner for Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir to meet with his supporters after a full day of debates at the Umno general assembly in the Putra World Trade Centre nearby.
But then some unexpected visitors dropped in and turned the dinner do for 300 people at the Saloma Bistro and Restaurant in the Malaysian Tourist Centre on Jalan Ampang here into a mini Umno general assembly.
Umno’s estranged deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Afdal, together with Mukhriz’s father and former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad showed up, seemingly dropping a bomb on the host.
“This event initially started as a normal dinner. But now it has turned to be something outstanding,” Mukhriz told his supporters.
Was the visit planned or otherwise? According to one of Mukhriz’s aides, the Umno supreme council member had intended the dinner only to meet and have a discussion with his supporters.
Perhaps the supporters had other ideas.
Some of them were spotted wearing black-coloured T-shirts with the words “Berani Kerana Benar”, which means “Courage for Truth” in English and may have intended to send a message though it was unclear what it might be.
Mukhriz acknowledged that tonight’s gathering may send mixed signals with him in a cosy setting with the three veterans who have been ostracised.
He added that news of their get-together may have even gone viral on social media, but he maintained that he has done nothing wrong as Umno’s constitution for its members to meet freely.
“I admit that I am taking a risk. That this is risky. But I am not the type to think only of posts… I don't think we have done anything wrong.
“The party constitution does not say a gathering like this is wrong. This is our right. This right is what makes Umno what it is. If this right is taken away, then I fear [of] what has become of Umno,” he said.
Dr Mahathir has also been labelled a traitor by some party leaders for openly calling for Najib's resignation. Some have also called for the former Umno president to be disciplined.
Speculation has also been rife that Muhyiddin and Shafie could be disciplined for their critical views of Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a speech Monday at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru, Muhyiddin suggested Najib take a rest from official duties pending the completion of corruption investigations into his brainchild and state-owned 1 Malaysia Development Berhad.
He also proposed then to limit the tenure of the Umno presidency to two terms, or six years.
The three leaders refused to speak to the press.
