THE drastic action taken by Umno against three party leaders recently shows it does not allow criticism and wants everyone to toe the party line, political analysts said.

They told The Malaysian Insight that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had to act in such a manner to show that he is not a weak leader and that he is unafraid to taking action against rogue party members.

Last Friday, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said the party had agreed to sack Zaharin Mohd Yasin, an Umno veteran, for his constant attack on Zahid over Facebook and Twitter.

Zaharin is known to be a staunch critic of the Barisan Nasional chairman and had appeared in several forums organised by Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Meanwhile, Umno has also suspended Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who is the Pasir Salak MP, and Alor Setar Umno division chief Mohd Yusof Ismail.

A senior party warlord, Tajuddin is a three-term MP and was also an Umno Supreme Council member. He had previously accused Zahid of conspiring with Anwar Ibrahim to make the opposition leader prime minister.

Tajuddin was also fond of Umno working with Bersatu instead of going into the election on its own.

As for Yusof, it is unclear as to why Umno decided to suspend his membership.

Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Zahid’s action is a clear message to every party member – including its leaders – that all must obey what the party leadership says.

He said if Zahid had not taken stern action, the party could be hit with a series of criticism from within.

“He has to do it in order to keep the party intact. Open criticism, especially from party leaders who won’t do well with the election is around the corner.

“As president, he is taking a firm stand that everyone has to toe the party line. It was the same when PAS removed Khairuddin Aman Razali. Other parties like DAP and PKR have acted similarly,” he said.

Message to Ismail Sabri

Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia mirrored Awang Azman’s sentiment, saying that Zahid is feeling more confident now after he had been acquitted of corruption charges involving the foreign visa system.

He added that by doing so, Zahid is also promoting himself that he is well on the course to become the next prime minister.

“He has the confidence now, and is telling the party not to mess with him. As the president, he should actually be the PM but his court cases are preventing it. With one case down, and another one to go, he is projecting himself as the future PM.

“This is a message to all that Zahid, and not Ismail Sabri Yaakob, is in charge of the party’s affairs. Those who defy party orders may end up like Tajuddin or Zaharin,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia opined that Zahid is asking all party members to stay loyal to the party regardless of the decision made by its top brass.

He added that the sacking is also a subtle message to Ismail that he must call for the dissolution of parliament no matter what the cost is.

“They want members to be loyal and not criticise the leaders openly. This is a warning to all that Umno won’t be squeezed.

“I think this is also directed at Ismail, indirectly, that he must dissolve parliament this year. By hook or by crook,” he said.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said on Friday that Malaysia will have snap polls once Ismail meets the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to seek his assent to dissolve parliament.

Earlier, The Malaysian Insight reported that the dissolution of parliament is expected to take place in mid-October with the polls likely in November.

The new Dewan Rakyat sitting begin today and will last till November 29, with Budget 2023 to be tabled on Friday. However, it is widely expected that parliament will be dissolved as early as October 12. – October 3, 2022.