Party leadership to assess implications after withdrawal of support for MB
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has distanced the party leadership from the dramatic withdrawal of support by 14 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan, saying the move was taken independently and will now be examined at the highest level.
The collective withdrawal of support by the 14 Umno/BN state assemblymen against Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has plunged the state into political turmoil, deepening the crisis and raising the possibility of a snap election.
Ahmad Zahid said the matter would be carefully assessed by the party before any decision is made.
“The matter will be studied in detail, including its implications, before it is referred to and deliberated by the Umno Supreme Council.
“The resolution on this issue will depend on our political situation,” he said.
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He did not rule out the possibility that the unfolding situation could lead to a state election.
“We will be discussing that.”
Ahmad Zahid added that he is expected to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon to discuss the issue.
Asked about reports that Perikatan Nasional was keen to form a new pact with Umno assemblymen, Zahid said political actors were always quick to seize opportunities.
“In politics, of course (parties) seize opportunities. And this opportunity is something they are interested in,” he said.
He also said he would engage the assemblymen involved, adding that he hoped to meet them at the earliest opportunity.
Zahid said this to reporters after a closed-door interview session with Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and senior news editors at the World Trade Centre here today.
