Why should Umno leave? Kedah party leader hits back at Mahfuz – Syed Mohd Johan

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno should not be the one asked to leave the government, says Kedah Umno communications director Syed Mohd Johan Rizal Syed Unan Mashri, after former Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar challenged Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign as deputy prime minister and pull Barisan Nasional out of the government.

Syed Mohd Johan said the unity government was formed with the support of at least 112 MPs, with Umno and BN among those whose backing had allowed the administration to be established and remain stable.

“Why should Umno be the one to leave?” he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Syed Mohd Johan is also the Umno Alor Setar division deputy chief.

He said the unity government did not belong to any single political party, adding that Umno was not merely a “passenger” in the administration and Amanah had no right to arbitrarily demand that it leave.

Syed Mohd Johan said Umno joined the government in the spirit of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call for political parties to cooperate in the interest of national stability.

“Umno is not the type to easily defy that principle simply because it has been challenged by Mahfuz, who is no longer relevant,” he said.

However, he stressed that Umno’s participation in the unity government did not mean the party had surrendered its identity, dignity or right to voice its concerns.

“Cooperation does not mean we have to agree with everything. If there are policies that burden the people or agreements that are not being honoured, Umno has every right to raise its concerns,” he said.

He said criticism should not automatically be interpreted as an attempt to topple the government, arguing that constructive criticism could instead prevent the administration from making further mistakes.

“If Umno’s voice is such a disturbance, then don’t challenge us to leave,” he said.

“Dismiss Umno and BN from the government. Then, if you dare, call for a confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat. Let’s see whether the numbers are still sufficient or whether you will have to seek support from Perikatan Nasional.”

Syed Mohd Johan said Umno should not be treated as a partner when its numbers were needed but be told to leave whenever it spoke up to defend the people.

He also hit out at Mahfuz, urging him to question Amanah’s own leadership over why its “Rahmatan lil ‘Alamin” approach had yet to convince a majority of Malays.

“Perhaps it is because Amanah has been too busy being seen as DAP’s political enforcer and strongest defender, while forgetting to build its own strength and position,” he said.

“Don’t be so concerned about determining Umno’s future. Fix your own party first.”