Members feel Zahid looking out for No. 1 instead of Umno, says Ku Li

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 24 Sep 2018 10:36AM · 3 Comments

Umno council of advisers chairman Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah says the general feeling in the party is that the president is looking after himself instead of the party. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, September 24, 2018.

UMNO members are grumbling that their president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is looking after his own interest instead of the party’s, said Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, as the embattled Malay party prepares for its first general assembly as the opposition.

Tengku Razaleigh, or Ku Li as he is popularly known, said the members were unhappy that Zahid had approached certain parties for cooperation in the next general election in an attempt to return to power.

“Maybe these are their views but from what I have gathered, Zahid has many self interests. 

“He is trying to fit himself into this group or that group which is in power at the federal level.

“It would appear (Zahid) is not thinking of the interests of the party or the Malays,” he said at his residence over the weekend. 

Ku Li did not name the parties that the Umno president was allegedly attempting to strike up a pact with but talk is rife that Zahid was interested in working with factions in PKR and PAS as a way back to Putrajaya.

The Umno leader is also said to have met several times with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in recent weeks to purportedly discuss the future of the Malays. This has sparked speculation of an Umno-Bersatu partnership.

Despite the departures of five of its MPs, Umno still counts 49 lawmakers among its ranks, a formidable bloc in the event Pakatan Harapan parties were to fracture in a power struggle.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said told The Malaysian Insight recently that Umno was willing to cooperate with any party, including DAP. 

The Ketereh MP said if the plan went smoothly, Umno would be back in power in two years.

Ku Li said Zahid should find ways to strengthen the party because the grassroots were left wondering where Umno was headed. 

“People now are questioning whether Zahid wants to be an Umno leader who takes Malays as well as other supporters in a better direction, to make better progress than before, and fix all the party’s probelms.

“That is why many have shown their disappointment in Zahid in the current situation,” he said.

Ku Li said he was still determined to ensure Umno remained relevant to the Malays. 

“I am concerned and want to find ways to strengthen Umno so that it is trusted by the people as it was in the past.”

In the recent party polls Zahid beat Tengku Razaleigh and Khairy Jamaluddin to win the party presidency.

Subsequently, he offered Tengku Razaleigh the chair of the party’s newly created council of advisers, which the Gua Musang MP accepted.

However, Khairy elected to stay out of the party’s leadership council. –  September 24, 2018
 

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Comments

  • People who lost the corridors of powers especially here in Malaysia really yerns for that lost grip on power and to regain that they would do whatever it takes even if it means eating back their words, promising the stars and the moon, let others think they have stood low and you name it whatever theres under the sky that is possible. Just to have that power back to them and right now they are banking in the rural malays (as usual) folks in the kampungs and felda settlers who either on the fence or not happy with PH. They will create a bigger crack when they sees one on this opening. By teaming up with PAS will generate quite a malay vote bank and if this swings happens states like Kedah & Perak in particular would fall back to them not to mentioned NS & Melaka. Bangsa Johor are well taken care of by the palace so no worries for them. Its on this path line that these people are charting their path towards next GE for power with whatever funds stash that has yet to be known publicly. At least now its have been declared openly that Zahid is just warming the seat for Jibbys return. Malaysian especially to the malays are you going to let the old school to come back and let them do with us at their whim and fancy?

    Posted 7 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Looking after his own interest in UMNO? Aisay, what's new in UMNO la...? Btw, may I suggest to present UMNO members, a mantra that may just help them to get some attention? You ready? Here it comes - "I help you, you help me". Try it, and see how fast things will start to move!

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • 2 years if Tun does not step down AI will will get PKR to merge wth BN and Pas to form the gvt. AI needs the Malay support through BN and Pas.
    Where else if Tun is pressured to step down he will also flip. Malaysia politic is entertaining.

    Posted 7 years ago by HI HI · Reply