UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed the idea of conducting a referendum to gauge party’s cooperation with DAP. This announcement comes in response to a recent call by UMNO supreme council member Datuk Isham Jalil for such a referendum.
The Bagan Datuk MP made his stance clear during a press conference held at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur.
“Why should there be a referendum? There is no need. I respect his (Isham’s) personal opinion, but he can’t force everyone else to agree with his opinion.”
Besides, Isham has been an outspoken advocate for UMNO working alongside its former political rival DAP, within the coalition government. He argued that grassroots members wanted UMNO to prioritise the defence of Malay rights rather than aligning with DAP’s vision of a “Malaysian Malaysia.”
In light of his vocal position, Isham had raised concerns about potential consequences, including the possibility of him and other party leaders being removed from their positions by the UMNO supreme council during its upcoming meeting.
When questioned about the meeting’s agenda and the potential removal of Isham, Zahid remained evasive, stating “He knows better than me. That’s the problem.”
Moreover, Zahid declined to provide extensive comments when asked about the decision of MUDA president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to exit the government bloc in Parliament as a protest against the withdrawal of corruption cases against the Barisan Nasional chairperson.
In response to this matter, Zahid simply remarked, “That’s his problem.”
The situation highlights the ongoing political complexities within UMNO and its stance on cooperating with DAP, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming UMNO supreme council meeting.
The party’s leadership is faced with challenging decisions that could significantly impact its political direction in Malaysia. – Sept 13, 2023
Main photo credit: Zahid Hamidi’s Facebook
