Mukhriz, Muhyiddin to lead Dr M’s new party, ex-NST chief says
(MMO) – Veteran newsman Datuk A Kadir Jasin, who was present at the Save Malaysia meeting which discussed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement of a new party, said that ousted Umno members Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin or Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir will likely lead the new movement.
He added that Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who quit the party after he was suspended, will likely play a pivotal role in his home state of Sabah.
“Two Umno leaders sacked from the party are former Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin and Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. A Vice President, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who had his membership suspended left voluntarily.
“They are expected to lead the new party. Shafie was present at yesterday’s meeting. He is expected to play a major role is his home state, Sabah,” the former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief wrote on his blog today.
He added that during the meeting of those part of the Save Malaysia movement, they also took kindly to the olive branch by PAS to possibly reconcile with Pakatan Harapan but noted that non-governmental organisations’ (NGO) refusal to back the opposition should there be a multi-cornered fight.
“The NGO representatives and most politicians who attended the meeting were adamant that there should be truce and dialogue among the opposition parties.
“The NGOs warned that they would not support the opposition in any multi-cornered fight in the coming general election. They insisted on a one-to-one face off with the BN,” he recounted.
PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on Wednesday mooted a “ceasefire” between his party and Pakatan Harapan — which comprises PKR, the DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) — after the by-elections in Perak and Selangor last month saw Barisan Nasional (BN) winning with overwhelming majorities due to PAS and Amanah splitting the votes.
Last month, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that the party’s supreme council unanimously agreed to expel Muhyiddin and Mukhriz for their alleged involvement with the opposition, a breach of party rules.
Former vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal was also suspended before he subsequently quit the party.
Muhyiddin and Mukhriz are both part of a campaign spearheaded by the latter’s father and former prime minister, Dr Mahathir, to demand Najib resign as prime minister.
On Thursday, Dr Mahathir confirmed that he will be a founding member of a new political party that will ally with Pakatan Harapan to ensure straight fights against the BN ruling coalition in the coming general elections.
