KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — Umno will scrutinise a party branch for possible infractions in its plan to host Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for him to explain his attacks against Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said today.
The Umno secretary-general today questioned the motives of the branch in arranging the high-tea session this weekend, but said it will be allowed to proceed if the event does not breach the party’s rules.
“We will ask their intentions, if it is a good intention and doesn’t affect the party (and) follow ethics, they can do (it),” he was quoted as saying by news portal The Malaysian Insider.
Umno will take action, however, if the branch is found to be in violation of its rules and ethics, he added.
The Pusat Bandar Taman Cempaka Umno is organising the high-tea this Saturday ostensibly to obtain Dr Mahathir’s rationale for demanding party president Najib resign as prime minister.
Branch chief Syed Saifuddin Syed Harman previously described the former prime minister as an “Umno icon” who must be given the opportunity to explain his motives in targeting Najib.
Syed Saifuddin, whose branch comes under the Umno Pandan division, claimed that division chief Datuk Mohd Haniff Koslan has no objections to the event and does not expect any disciplinary action from Umno headquarters.
Dr Mahathir has been demanding Najib step down as prime minister for months over various issues, but primarily over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) controversy.
Earlier this year, Najib went on a nationwide tour meeting grassroots members to counter Dr Mahathir's attacks on his leadership and administration.
