KLANG: Grassroots Umno leaders want their party’s position in Perikatan Nasional to be defined more clearly and put in writing.
Selangor Umno treasurer Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz (pic) said there was no clarity in the informal “partnership” currently, with many imbalances.
“Umno is being treated unfairly despite having more seats in Parliament. All the important ministries are being helmed by people from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia,” said Johan, adding that there must be fairness and equality in all partnerships.
He was commenting on Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan statement that the party would consider abandoning the Perikatan pact if changes were not made to the current “partnership” status.
Johan said it was time Umno was accorded the due recognition and respect as a party with more Parliament seats than its Perikatan partners.
He also added that Perikatan had done little to help Umno with the problems plaguing the party after the last general election.
“Little or nothing has been done to solve the matter of the Selangor Umno account that remains frozen,” said Johan.
Hulu Selangor Umno division chief Datuk Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan concurred, and said Perikatan’s direction and objectives were still unclear to Umno.
He added that this was not being well-received by Umno grassroots members who wanted a clearer picture of their party’s standing within Perikatan.
“For Umno’s ties to be accepted by grassroots members, there has to be something more defined as well as in black and white on our ties with Perikatan.
“It is also timely for Umno to set new terms and conditions over our position in Perikatan,” said Mat Nadzari, a former Selangor Umno chief.
He cited Muafakat Nasional as an example where there were clear and formal ties between Umno and PAS, which also underlined the scope of cooperation between the two parties.
Meanwhile, Selangor Umno Youth chief Rizam Ismail said for the grassroots to function smoothly, leaders at the top must first iron out all uncertainties at national level.
“We leave it to our top leaders to sort out matters with Perikatan. But it has to be done swiftly so that we can manage without any glitches at our level,” said Rizam, who is also Selangor Opposition chief. -The Star