KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad blamed today “weak” leaders in Umno’s top tier who trampled on the feelings of their subordinates for triggering the two-day political crisis in Terengganu.
The crisis in Terengganu could have been averted if those at the top had taken more care in handling state leaders, the former prime minister added.
“If we had acted harshly, it would not be a problem for him to leave Umno,” the 88-year-old was quoted by state news agency Bernama as saying after receiving an honorary doctorate in political development from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta.
Dr Mahathir was speaking of Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, the former Terengganu mentri besar who quit Umno scant hours after being forced out of office on Monday, and who had dragged two other state lawmakers with him, plunging the state into a crisis of confidence.
The trio who went rogue retracted their resignation letters today and have returned to the Umno fold after Ahmad and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak exchanged apologies over a “misunderstanding” over the wedding of the Terengganu lawmaker’s daughter.
Dr Mahathir observed that Umno leaders in Terengganu were unlike those in other states such as Johor — where the Malay party was founded and remained its stronghold — where they were accustomed to switching their political allegiances as a demonstration of their unhappiness.
“In Terengganu, crossing over to another party is normal and they like to try… It’s their way, so we have to be careful as they can easily switch. It’s their character,” Dr Mahathir was quoted saying.
He added that leaders at the national and state level had both made mistakes, and urged both sides to learn from them.
“We will lose if Umno does not learn and repeat those mistakes,” he was quoted saying.
The former Umno president reminded his party that unless those sitting at the top bucked up and stopped riding roughshod over those below them, a similar problem may arise in future and cause them to lose power entirely.
“Umno is weak now,” he was quoted saying.
He said that party members at the grassroots level were dissatisfied that their leaders at both state and national levels were often distracted by opposition leaders and paid more attention to issues raised by other races than problems plaguing their community.
As such, party members were becoming increasingly disenchanted with their party and would rebel.
“They support (Umno) not because of the leadership but because they dislike the opposition.”
