KUALA LUMPUR: Umno lawmaker Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has urged the party’s Supreme Council to call for an immediate meeting to chart its way ahead.
Hishammuddin who has been reportedly accused of orchestrating the exodus of Umno leaders from the party said the leadership had to guarantee the grassroots that they were addressing the current crisis.
In a tweet posted about an hour ago, he said, ”In a situation that is uncertain and worrying I urge Umno’s main leaders to immediately call for a supreme council meeting.”
“Guarantees need to be given to the grassroots in every level, on the leadership’s stand on managing the party crisis. Don’t delay, the grassroots are pitching their hopes,” he said.
He has however been silent amid calls for President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down.
Meanwhile Hishammuddin also dispelled allegations that he had secretly met with Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders including PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
This comes on the heels of the former Umno minister being accused of masterminding the flight of Umno MPs out of the party and into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
He was reportedly aided by Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin who exited the party on Friday with five other Umno leaders.
Hishammuddin has since denied the accusation.
Meanwhile, former Umno presidential candidate Khairy Jamaluddin today tweeted, “Pretty accurate” in commenting on an analysis published by a local daily today titled “Umno divided over Pakatan PM”.
He earlier tweeted “Step aside, sir. It’s time”, alongside an article on Ahmad Zahid where the latter defiantly reiterated that he would not entertain calls for his resignation.
Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa also weighed in on the analysis via his Twitter account.
“Why are we not continuing to struggle based on faith in our own party
“Why are we forming cliques to support prime ministers from other parties? Is it because we have no resolve or we are starved for bribes?” he openly asked those leaving on the ruse of being fed-up with Ahmad Zahid’s leadership.
Annuar and Khairy were responding to an analysis that the flight of Umno leaders from the party was attributed to a proxy war between those supporting Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also tweeted “too many cooks spoil the food” however it remains unknown as to what the comment meant as he did not elaborate further.
Annuar a known ally of Ahmad Zahid could be referring to a list of issues plaguing the party which have been put under the spotlight following the exodus of Umno lawmakers from the party.