UMNO should not tolerate members whose actions are not in line with the party’s decisions, said its advisory council chairman Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

He described such members as “pimps” (barua) who moved around and met with others as they pleased without considering that their actions could jeopardise Umno’s efforts to revive itself after losing the general election last year.

“Those who want to run, those who are of no service to the party, get rid of them. We don’t want these thorns in the flesh.

“We have decided to cooperate with PAS, so we don’t want pimps,” said the Umno veteran when launching the Bagan Datuk division meeting in Perak today.

Bagan Datuk is the home division of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Tengku Razaleigh’s remarks are believed to be directed at former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein who was at a private meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last Tuesday.

News of the meeting was leaked, reportedly held for several opposition party representatives to state their support for Dr Mahathir to serve a full term as prime minister.

Others at the meeting were PAS vice-president Samsuri Ahmad Mokhtar, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Gabungan Parti Sarawak whip Fadillah Yusof.

Hishammuddin, who is Sembrong MP, yesterday said he had been present.

He downplayed the meeting and said it was not unusual for lawmakers to meet with the prime minister.

However, Zahid yesterday said Hishammuddin was not asked to represent Umno at the meeting.

Zahid, who was present at the Bagan Datuk division meeting today, said the matter would be left to Umno’s disciplinary committee chairman Mohd Apandi Ali to decide if any action was warranted.

Tengku Razaleigh said Umno members should not allow themselves to be used by those with other interests.

“Don’t use Umno’s name when in talks with others. Don’t do anything too stupid as we have already lost power.

“It’s not as if we don’t have our leaders. Why should we sell ourselves here and there?” – August 4, 2019.