MUAR, Sept 12 — An Umno Supreme Council member today advised party leaders and members to face the setting up of a new political party in the country with maturity and knowledge.
Datuk Razali Ibrahim said this was not impossible to achieve as Umno members had gone through a similar situation following the sacking of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as party deputy president in 1998.
The maturity and attitude of the party leaders and members then had saved Umno from any upheaval, said the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Muar Umno Division chief.
He spoke to reporters after launching the Aidiladha ‘korban’ (ritual slaughter) in the compound of the Surau As Syaaban in Kampung Nelayan Parit Jawa near here.
Razali advised Umno members against quarrelling among themselves, saying the outcome of the next general election would be a reflection of their reaction to “the new movement”.
He was apparently referring to the setting up of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Razali did not rule out the challenge posed by the formation of the new party which he said was made up of former Umno members who were looking for more Umno members to join them.
“They will seek to build support, but if we remain united, understand our struggle and face them with maturity and knowledge, we can stand up to them,” he said. — Bernama
