Defiant Umno divisions want Muhyiddin, Shafie to address their meetings
(TMI) – Three Umno divisions are going ahead with invitations to Tan Sri Muhyididn Yassin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to officiate annual meetings despite their sacking from the Cabinet, indicating a rift in Barisan Nasional.
Unlike some jittery divisions which cancelled their invitations to the duo, Umno divisions of Kluang, Hulu Selangor and Kemaman are sticking by their decision to invite Muhyiddin and Shafie to attend their assemblies, saying they were ready to face any repercussions from it.
“Yes, we will continue with our programme this Sunday with Tan Sri,” said Kluang Umno division chief Md Jais Sarday, referring to Muhyiddin.
The Johor exco member shrugged off the possibility that his actions would be seen as going against the current norm where many divisions had either cancelled invitations or were considering such a decision.
“Never mind, wait until this Sunday when Muhyiddin comes. I will speak at the function,” he said.
Muhyiddin, who was sacked as deputy prime minister and education minister on July 28, is scheduled to open the Kluang Umno division meeting at 10am Sunday at Dewan Jubli Intan.
Muhyiddin was to officiate Raub Umno’s annual meeting on August 15, but the division cancelled the officiating ceremony following Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, which also saw Shafie, an Umno vice-pesident, being dropped as the rural and regional minister.
Umno divisions in Batu Gajah and Ipoh Barat had also cancelled their invitations to Shafie, who was scheduled to officiate their meetings this weekend.
A Johor Umno spokesman struck a defiant note when he said it is not wrong to continue with its programmes with Muhyididn as he is still the party deputy president.
“Tan Sri Muhyiddin is still our leader, he is still the deputy president. Moreover, we invited him before the cabinet reshuffle. Is it wrong for us to invite one of the party’s top leaders?” he asked.
