PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should act quickly to pacify Umno, which has been unhappy over how Perikatan Nasional (PN) has been treating the Malay party, said Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Umno vice-president said the party’s priority is in the best interest of the country as uncertainty in PN continues following claims by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim that the ruling coalition has lost its majority in Parliament.

“The party will always support good decisions, so all choices are in the hands of the prime minister.

“He understands what Umno wants and he also knows what Umno can do.

“So, show sincere leadership, which can turn ‘mutual respect’ into real ‘trust’. Because we all know, trust is earned, not given,” he said in a statement today.

Umno has openly expressed dissatisfaction with Muhyiddin and his Bersatu party over the manner they are bullied and sidelined by the newer party.

Following a political bureau meeting last week, Umno said it is reconsidering its support for PN in favour of strengthening its relationship with PAS under the Muafakat Nasional banner.

Umno leaders have separately said that they wanted stronger say in the PN government, including by having more prominent posts in the cabinet. Umno is also reported to be asking for the deputy prime minister’s post.

Khaled said Umno’s relationship with Bersatu was never good.

“Umno never believed in Bersatu because it was established with the intention of destroying and replacing Umno.

“But when the country was in a precarious situation in February, Umno acted to support Muhyiddin as prime minister,” he said in the statement.

He said Umno’s intention is to give a new impetus or leap to Malaysia’s dynamism. 

“Especially by bringing the experience of Umno to govern the country after the Pakatan Harapan government failed. 

“After seven months, Umno’s anxiety with Bersatu has become more pronounced. The public knows why Umno do not trust Bersatu. In fact, the remaining ‘mutual respect’ has also diminished.”

Khaled said Umno has already made known its intentions to Muhyiddin. 

“Umno does not need to explain all its concerns at length. Unless Muhyiddin and Bersatu deliberately do not understand it.”

He, however, said now is not the time to argue, but for Muhyiddin to assess the direction of his government. 

“Many see the government he is leading at the moment as weak with a seemingly dysfunctional cabinet. 

“Any decision made by Umno can certainly change the government,” he said.

Khaled said Umno has various options at this time to determine the status of the PN government.  

“Umno can strengthen PN. Umno can also overthrow it. In fact, Umno can also speed up the general election.

“But that is the party’s last choice because of the Covid-19 pandemic that plagues the country.”

He added that Umno will not gamble on the security, health and general wellbeing of Malaysians for the sake of an election.  

“Umno’s priority is to form a government that can truly manage a country in crisis. 

“And for that, Umno wants to be respected as a real partner in this political cooperation and not just a giver to PN.” – October 18, 2020.