Negative perceptions on UMNO does not erode Supreme Council's support

The UMNO Supreme Council meeting Monday became a platform for its members to voice concerns over issues affecting the party and government, but all came out satisfied after detailed explanations were given by party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said although various issues were raised, all spoke out and all were eventually satisfied.

"All unanimously supported the clarifications on the issues raised," he told reporters after attending the meeting at Menara Dato' Onn, here, Monday.

Among the issues highlighted at the meeting were 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), purchase of Tun Razak Exchange land by Tabung Haji as well as the party's performance in the Rompin and Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat by-elections.

Another UMNO vice-president, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also described the meeting as more of a soul-searching session.

"The meeting reflected on the rumours about a split among UMNO members which was proven to be not true," he said.

UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said discussions among the Supreme Council members only touched on current issues and not about the position of any leader in the party.

In fact, the claims by former information minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin in his blog that there was a movement in UMNO to oust Najib was a complete unfounded allegation, he added.

Khairy said UMNO deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, also informed the council that the claim by former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim of a purported secret meeting between him and other parties during his working visit to Milan recently was baseless.

Meanwhile, Wanita UMNO chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the ties among the Supreme Council members had strengthened and should remain strong despite being under pressure over various issues at the moment.

"We need to be in line to give unequivocal support to the party president and deputy president and not leave the line when besetted with problems," she said.

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Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Hasan Malek, who is also Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister, said the majority of the council members wanted investigations into 1MDB to be expedited so that the people's anger could be mitigated with continuous factual clarifications and to combat the opposition propaganda.

Another Supreme Council member, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim who is also Tabung Haji (TH) chairman, said explanations on issues involving TH had also been well accepted by the majority of the council members.

In fact, there were also constructive advice from fellow council members, he said.

"I am appealing to the people not to be duped by the opposition's play of politics. I do not play politics in TH.

"This is because I am chairman (of TH) for all Muslims. I have been working for all members of the Muslim community regardless of their political affiliation," he said.