Zam: Big split in Umno ‘imminent’
Former information minister speculates that criticism of Tabung Haji deal ‘planned in advance’
(Free Malaysia Today) – A big change in Umno is imminent, believes former information minister Zainuddin Maidin, who writes that stinging criticism by Muhyiddin Yassin about the 1MDB scandal was evidence of a split in the Umno leadership.
Zainuddin was referring to media reports of the deputy prime minister saying in Milan, Italy, that the 1MDB issue had become so serious that “it will erupt any moment”
Muhyiddin had also attributed Umno’s failure in the Permatang Pauh by-election on Thursday to the 1MDB issue.
Zainuddin referred to criticism by various Umno leaders and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, and cited Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Johor Umno Youth and former deputy minister Saifuddin Abdullah and other leaders.
He did not rule out the possibility that the various statements all around at this juncture had all been planned well in advance.
“We will know the actual situation in a day or two when various Umno Youth leaders can be expected to add their voices to the criticisms so far on 1MDB,” said Zainuddin.
Khairy has spoken of Tabung Haji’s land purchase from 1MDB as having elements of a “conflict of interest” while Mahathir has labelled it a bailout.
