KUALA LUMPUR – Umno will never endorse or allow party-hopping within the unity government, said party secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on preliminary discussions regarding Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s potential entry into PKR.
Asyraf, who also heads the unity government’s secretariat, expressed concern over Anwar’s confirmation of preliminary talks with Tengku Zafrul, who is also a member of Umno’s Supreme Council.
“The prime ninister has consulted and sought the opinion of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The culture of poaching members or leaders from each other’s parties will only create discord and conflict, threatening the stability of the coalition.
“The bitter experiences of past political alliances collapsing due to acts of betrayal, party-hopping, and stealing members within the coalition should serve as a lesson for all,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that preliminary discussions had taken place within the party regarding the possibility of Tengku Zafrul joining PKR.
According to Anwar, PKR remains open to the inclusion of any individual, including Tengku Zafrul, provided they can contribute to the party.
Also opposing the notion of party-hopping was Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who called on Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to review their relationship within the unity government.
According to Akmal, Umno is a party of integrity and should not be tossed around at will.
This statement followed Zahid’s criticism on Friday of Umno members willing to abandon the party’s cause for personal gain.
Zahid further asserted that component parties within the unity government should refrain from poaching members from coalition partners.
As BN chairman, Zahid emphasised that component parties in the unity government must respect BN, just as BN respects its coalition partners. – December 15, 2024