Nothing new in Zahid’s speech, too early for election talk, says Hishammuddin

Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein says there was nothing new in the speech by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the party’s general assembly today, and that most of what he said was expected.

“There were not many new things raised by the president in his policy speech. It’s only stressing what we have stated earlier through the Supreme Council,” he told reporters today, when asked about the call for Umno to cut ties with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

“It is too early, we will wait to see the views of the speakers on the president’s speech.”

Hishammuddin also said it was too early to talk about Barisan Nasional going on its own at the next general election.

“It’s not we who decide on the general election. It is the prime minister.”

He said it was important that Umno ensures political stability, and questions strong words from party leaders.

“Don’t just speak rhetoric. If we truly feel about stability and future direction, I feel we still have time to talk about it,” said Hishammuddin.

The Umno general assembly is being held on the back of a campaign by Zahid and several leaders to seek endorsement from delegates to sever the party’s ties with Bersatu.

Both Zahid and deputy president Mohamad Hasan in their keynote speeches have called for Umno to be dominant again, saying it has been relegated to playing second fiddle in the PN government.