Zahid’s orders clear, now up to Umno MPs, says Puad

Umno MPs who are not in sync with the party’s grassroots and the Malays will be punished, a top party leader has warned over calls for its lawmakers to withdraw support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

(FMT) – This comes after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday all Umno MPs must withdraw support for Muhyiddin in the wake of the fiasco over the emergency ordinances (EOs).

Speaking to FMT, Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said the MPs must not think only of themselves as their actions, if not in sync with the grassroots, will result in the party also being punished.

“The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government’s move to revoke the EOs without the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent is an act of treason,” he said.

“This is why Zahid’s instructions should be followed. A failure to do so means they (Umno MPs) are also being treasonous towards the King.”

He said this could affect Umno’s image as the party has always been vocal in defending the royal institution.

Puad said there was no reason why the MPs should not obey the party’s orders, and that disciplinary action could be taken against those who defied them.

“The ball is in their court. Their adherence to the party’s decision can stop the constitutional crisis we are now facing.

“Umno MPs cannot continue giving a lifeline to a prime minister who does not want to admit defeat.”

Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Awang Azman Pawi said MPs who continued to back the government risked becoming irrelevant to the electorate.

“But this depends on the political sentiments during the elections, which could change,” he said.

Still, he said, the “derhaka” (treasonous) perception could affect any party, especially a Malay-based one, as these parties were expected to protect the royal institution.

Given the position of the monarchy, Awang Azman said, it was difficult for anyone who was seen to be disrespectful to the King and royal institution to win the hearts of the Malays.