UMNO will accept dissenting voices in the party, but they must not be louder than party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said party secretary-general Annuar Musa today.

Speaking at the Kuala Selangor Umno division meeting, Annuar said the party had no problems with internal critics.

He said Zahid was performing his duties according to the party constitution and consensus among Umno leaders.

Annuar said leaders such Padang Rengas MP Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin were not part of the supreme council or BN leadership.

“Their voices are useful for the party, but they can’t be taken at the same value as the president’s. We have to know the difference.

“There is no need for others to needle Umno into action as the Umno today is very different from the old Umno. 

“We have a new approach. We have no problems with others criticising us or in giving opinions,” he said.

Nazri and Khairy had expressed their dissatisfaction with Zahid’s decision to appoint former prime minister Najib Razak as BN advisory council chairman, calling the move regressive.

Najib said Umno leaders should not have made these criticisms publicly.

Annuar said Umno members must learn from PAS members, who remain loyal despite changes after the recent party polls.

“Umno is not about Zahid or Najib but many of us do not understand this. 

“We love to have factions, fight each other. We have elected a president but there are some who want him to step down.

“When the president returns from leave, we make noise. Our elections have been over for months now, but we are still fighting. Let’s learn from PAS,” he said.  – July 13, 2019.