The Malaysian Insight

UMNO presidential hopeful Khairy Jamaluddin said today the Malay party and Barisan Nasional coalition were both in desperate need of clear identities, warning that if the situation is left unchecked, more lawmakers will defect to the ruling government.

The Rembau MP, who is vying for the top post in Umno’s polls this Saturday, said he believes he can lead the party in fulfilling this need.

“The Umno-BN leadership must have a clear identity so that members of parliament don’t ‘hop’ (to other parties).

“Among the reasons I am running for president is because I want to provide a clear direction. Otherwise, you will see MPs defecting,” Khairy told The Malaysian Insight at Mohamad Hassan’s Hari Raya open house in Kampung Tanjung Rantau, Negri Sembilan, today.

Khairy was responding to Bagan Serai MP Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali’s announcement that he had left Umno.

Noor Azmi is now an independent MP, but said he planned to join Bersatu.

His defection has left Umno with 53 seats in parliament, with BN controlling 56 in total. 

The former youth and sports minister also slammed defections as an act of betrayal.

“These kinds of moves are a betrayal of the people’s choice. I hope no other BN MP follows suit.

“The people chose us to be the opposition. So, to move and ‘save yourself’ by hopping is irresponsible.”

Umno vice-presidential hopeful Mohamad, meanwhile, said that those who leave the party lack the commitment to stay true to its struggles.

“Those who join Umno to seek opportunities will surely run when Umno is no longer in power,” he said.

“As a democratic country, we can’t say we don’t accept (defections). For those who want to accept it, just do so,” he said.

On the move by former BN component parties to quit the pact, Mohamad said Umno must focus on rebuilding itself before turning its efforts on the coalition.

“We can no longer expect Umno to strengthen MIC and MCA because we’re no longer in the government. So, we need to strengthen our party first and, once we are strong, the coalition will be strong.” 

“This coalition is not a life-and-death arrangement. If they feel that they don’t want to join us, it’s up to them.”

Apart from the Bagan Serai lawmaker, 10 division heads from Rasah and Rembau have also quit the party, reported Malay-language daily Berita Harian.

Yesterday, Gerakan announced it was leaving BN, barely two weeks after Sarawak BN component parties quit the pact to form their own independent coalition. – June 24, 2018.