JOHOR BARU, May 22 — Johor Umno secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman today warned former party ‘warlords’ to stop inciting grassroots members to go against the leadership regarding the party’s position in the unity government.
He claimed that these former Umno leaders, some of who have been suspended by the party, still continued to sow hatred by inciting party members in order to confuse them on Umno’s participation in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.
“Some accuse Umno of having been bought, dragged by its nose and even being coerced under DAP. They said Umno’s future is getting dimmer and the party will be buried before the next general election.
“I am not surprised if the attacks came from the Opposition, but it is strange when former ‘warlords’ and their cronies are the ones who sabotage the party’s leadership,” Abdul Halim said in a posting on his official Facebook today.
He was responding to those who had allegedly attacked the party over the weekend following a comment made by Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan for Umno members to support DAP on Friday.
Ahmad, who is also the deputy finance minister urged Umno members to vote for DAP candidates in the coming state elections.
Abdul Halim, who is also the Tebrau Umno division chief, questioned the party’s detractors on their continued attacks on their own party.
“What benefit do you get if you continue to undermine the unity of party members?
“Are you still unable to accept the fact that your desire to be with Perikatan Nasional (PN) is not possible? So much so that you hate Umno which is now part of the unity government,” he questioned.
Abdul Halim advised the former party leaders, whom he termed as troublemakers, to remain silent and cease from causing more problems within Umno.
He said their actions do not benefit Umno members and the party, as it gives a negative perception in the public eye.
On Umno members voting for another party, Abdul Halim pointed out that by being together in a large coalition to form a government, each party has a responsibility to maintain its position and the integrity of the administration.
“So, when the election comes, each party needs to convince their supporters to vote for the respective candidate from the unity government, regardless of which party he is from.
“If a DAP candidate contests in seat A, then Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters will vote for that candidate. If an Umno candidate contests in seat B, DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) will vote for the Umno candidate.
“Similarly if a PKR candidate contests in seat C, then Umno, DAP, PKR and Amanah supporters will have to vote for the candidate from the unity government,” he said, adding that such support was required to also protect the party’s position.
