“Don’t think of PM from Umno now”

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed the notion of having a prime minister from his party based on the current reality that Umno has measly number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

“We have to address this “keciputan” (Malay slang for meagre or measly) of the number of parliament seats first,” he said.

Umno has 26 parliamentary seats. The BN coalition 30, out of 222 seats.

He also admitted that the Malay support for Umno is still low and the move to form a unity government with former rivals was not a popular option.

“We must think out of the box on how to effectively convey Cabinet decisions to the party members and the masses, so that the grassroots have a sense of belonging to the Madani government,” said Ahmad Zahid during a special interview with selected media prior to the Umno general assembly, which begins today.

Perceptions

Despite the differences among the political parties within the unity government, he said the parties are on the same page on many issues.

“For example, Umno members don’t seem to know that when the 3R issues (race, religion and royalty) are discussed in the Cabinet meetings, there has not been any opposition from ministers from this party that is alleged to oppose Malay privileges, the status of Islam and the Malay Rulers,” he said.

“This is the reality. Those party leaders sit next to me in the Cabinet. The perception that this party is opposing these issues has not been handled properly,” said Ahmad Zahid.

“Which party does not have differing voices?

“This is political dynamism. We must differentiate between the official stand of the party from the personal opinions of party leaders.

“If a certain party is perceived as a liability (to Umno), it is only that – a mere perception.

“However, I have to admit that there are Umno members who are not comfortable with us working with other parties in the unity government, but this is due to the right explanation not reaching the Umno grassroots,” he said, reported The Star.