FORMER UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dismissed claims that his successor had used ‘veto’ power to throw out the party’s supreme council decision in regards to its participation in the Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan) coalition.
“This is false. Umno is not the White House from the US. I’m quite curious on who came up with the veto story.
“Umno has been consistent on its stand, especially in regards to its participation with the ruling Government. We have clearly stated that our support for Perikatan is only until the next general election,” he said in a Facebook post.
On Feb 22, Malay daily Utusan Malaysia quoted sources saying that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had exercised his veto power to block Barisan Nasional (BN) from joining Perikatan.
The source told the daily that Zahid dismissed it despite the party supreme council’s agreement to the proposal.
“Umno supreme council members agreed to join Perikatan, under the BN banner, like what we did during the Sabah state election last year.
“This is to ensure there will be no three-cornered fights in the next general election. Umno cannot win on its own,” the source was reported saying.
Own leaders undermining Umno
Calling it a false propaganda, Najib said that Umno has proven its commitment to the decision from the start, by rejecting various overtures made by the Government.
“Zahid had rejected Government posts despite receiving offers. I also rejected offers as I was busy dealing with court cases.
“Our party deputy president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) also rejected offer to become Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) adviser,” said the BN advisory board chairman, adding that Umno adviser Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah had also turned down the coveted post of Petronas adviser.
Despite offered such positions, Najib said that Umno leaders rejected them out of firm conviction of the decision made in the past.
“Umno never betrayed anyone. The only agreement we signed and sealed was under the Muafakat Nasional banner.
“We’re steady despite several of our own party leaders getting intoxicated with their plum positions in the Government, resulting in them trying to undermine Umno,” the Pekan MP added. – March 8, 2021.
