The Malaysian Insight

SEMBRONG MP Hishammuddin Hussein has questioned why he and nine other Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs are being called traitors for backing Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin after the general election (GE). 

The BN treasurer-general said he is grateful to coalition chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for pardoning the 10 MPs, but is unsure as to why the label was slapped on him and the others. 

“I’m pretty sure of what had happened and there’s nothing we should apologise for. Why are we being accused of betraying the party’s struggle? 

“If they want to take action (against us), go ahead. There’s nothing for me to worry about,” he said after Zahid’ policy speech at the Umno general assembly. 

Hishammuddin also said he agrees with Jelebu MP Jalaluddin Alias that signing a statutory declaration (SD) cannot be considered a sign of betrayal. 

He said the 10 MPs had signed the SD based on BN’s initial stand not to work with Pakatan Harapan to form the government. 

“We initially made the decision, but retracted it when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong made the decision to form the unity government. 

“It was the party’s decision (to form a unity government). We agreed, so where is the betrayal?” 

Hishammuddin said everyone should stop bickering, and that it is crucial for the party to look onward. 

“We will soon face state elections and we have already lost in GE15. I hope we can discuss the direction of the party and how we can correct public perception towards the party and its struggle. 

“It is better than just using this platform to argue with each other, or attack and harass each other. Enough is enough.”

Yesterday, Zahid said he has forgiven the coalition’s lawmakers who backed PN’s attempt to form the federal government after the GE.

However, the Umno president warned the 10 lawmakers that he would be watching their moves.

In his speech this morning, Zahid alluded that action could still be taken against Umno MPs who turned their backs on the party’s decisions.

“Wait… God willing, it won’t be long, with the consent of the delegates to give a mandate to the disciplinary board and the Supreme Council… soon,” he said as the delegates chanted for the “traitors” to be cast out of the party. 

Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said the reason Umno and BN refuse to cooperate with PN is because PN has tried to get BN lawmakers to defect. 

“PN leaders claimed to have enough affidavits to form a government. Apparently these affidavits included 10 of the BN representatives who won parliamentary seats in GE15, but these 10 did not have our approval. 

“This is also a factor we cannot be with PN. Betrayal has been committed against our party. 

“It’s even sadder as it was arranged by our own people,” said Zahid to over 5,000 Umno delegates who attended the general assembly. 

Zahid on Thursday revealed the names of the 10 MPs who had supported PN. 

Six of those who allegedly signed the SD are from Umno – Hishammuddin, Hasni Mohammad, Jalaluddin, Mohd Isam Mohd Isa, Adnan Abu Hassan and Abdul Rahman Mohamad. 

The rest are Wee Ka Siong, Wee Jeck Seng, M. Saravanan and Arthur Joseph Kurup. – January 13, 2023.