AS cracks seem to emerge between UMNO’s “court cluster” and the “Cabinet cluster”, party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took to Facebook to call for snap polls.
“The people have high hopes on UMNO to rejuvenate the country and restore Malaysia to its past glory.
“And we need political stability for it by returning the mandate back to the people, which was dented on May 9, 2018,” he said.
Earlier this week, Zahid sacked Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman from the UMNO supreme council.
While Zahid had refused to comment on his decision, it was speculated that Tajuddin was axed as a “warning shot” to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who had so far resisted calls by the “court cluster” to dissolve the Parliament.
Subsequently, former UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s loyalist, Isham Jalil was appointed to replace Tajuddin.
It is to note that Isham himself was sacked as Selangor Barisan Nasional information chief last month for criticising UMNO’s estranged ally; PAS.
And last night, Ismail Sabri, who is also a UMNO vice president, decided to skip his party leadership meeting. Some have speculated that the Bera MP decided not to attend it as he knew he would pressured on the general election.
On that note, Zahid said that UMNO had collectively decided that calling for the 15th General Election is the best way to bring back stability to the country.
“Hence, the party must focus on our preparation and any element that is planning to disrupt our plans must be dealt with without compromise.
“And I must stress that this is not due to vested interest but for the sake of the people, country and UMNO,” the Bagan Datuk MP remarked. – June 25, 2022
