LAST night’s meeting between Barisan Nasional MPs and Mohamed Azmin Ali was to discuss government projects in their constituencies, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president said news of the meeting at the economic affairs minister’s Putrajaya home has upset the grassroots and supporters, fresh from BN’s big win in the Tanjung Piai by-election on Saturday.

“I got information that the meeting yesterday was for the MPs to discuss with the minister about projects in their constituencies,” he said at the Kuala Lumpur court complex, where his criminal trial is being heard.

“The meeting has led to a negative perception among the people.”

Such meets should be attended by all opposition parliamentarians, and not just those from one faction, he said.

“These meetings need to be done en bloc. They need to be held in Parliament. It would look better that way.

“The Umno Supreme Council has already decided that any decisions by MPs from the party must be done en bloc.”

Zahid said Umno’s disciplinary board has received complaints about the meeting, adding that the party’s top leaders will leave it to the board to decide on the appropriate action against the lawmakers who were at Azmin’s home.

He warned that Umno will not compromise with members who work either privately or publicly with any government faction.

“This is the party’s official stand. We hope there won’t be any attempts to not adhere to the disciplinary board’s decision.”

It is speculated that the BN lawmakers were at Azmin’s house for a meeting to stop attempts to force Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad from office.

Among the MPs was Hishammuddin Hussein. It has been said that the former Umno vice-president is linked to efforts to get his party men to join Pakatan Harapan.

The meeting started about 9.30pm and lasted two hours.

Those who left the house kept mum on what was discussed. – November 19, 2019.