Come clean on decision to dump Bersatu in GE15, Annuar Musa tells Umno leaders

Ketereh MP Annuar Musa today urged Umno leaders to explain the decision not to work with Bersatu in the 15th general election (GE15), saying party members deserve to be kept abreast of any such move by the Supreme Council.

“As members, we have the right to be told whether this is true and, if so, why we were not informed of this decision,” the former Umno secretary-general said.

In a statement, he said it was understood that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had written to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, informing him in a letter dated Feb 26 of the decision made in a Supreme Council meeting at Janda Baik on Feb 19.

He said the letter had stated that there would be no cooperation with Bersatu in GE15, and that Umno’s status in the government would remain only until the dissolution of Parliament.

He also questioned the rationale behind the purported decision which was made prior to the party’s general assembly.

“Members should be informed if the decision made by the Umno Supreme Council is final. If so, we have the right to know the rationale behind the decision, especially when the election date is yet to be announced,” he said.

“Why make the decision now when it should be proposed at the general assembly? Why is the decision made before the assembly?”

Umno’s annual general assembly is scheduled to take place on March 27 and 28.

Annuar also questioned Umno’s position in the next polls, asking if the party would form a new coalition or cooperate with other parties.

“If the decision to end cooperation with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional is final, then the members want to know who Umno will cooperate with.

“Will Umno stand on its own or with Anwar (Ibrahim) and PKR? Will it be with DAP and Lim Kit Siang? Or will Umno form a new coalition?”

He likewise warned that making such a decision ahead of GE15 would put Umno at a disadvantage as the government mignt not offer another opportunity for cooperation.

“This decision means Umno parts ways with parties under Perikatan Nasional. Will this strengthen or weaken the party?” he said.