KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — The United Malays National Organisation (Umno) has announced its intention to address the attendance of one of its Melaka state assemblymen at a Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate announcement event in Bakri, Johor. According to reports, Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that he is awaiting a report regarding the actions of Rembia state assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis before determining the appropriate measures to take.
The incident in question involved Muhammad Jailani attending a PN event that revealed candidates for the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-election. The event was also graced by the presence of PN Chairman and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. However, Muhammad Jailani defended his participation, clarifying that it was on behalf of Muafakat Nasional (MN), a registered NGO led by former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Muhammad Jailani emphasized that his presence did not reflect his role as an Umno-elected representative but rather his affiliation with MN. He further explained that MN upholds the principle of unity of faith, and the event coincidentally aligned with this spirit. He highlighted that the bond shared among different political parties should persist, emphasizing a lack of hostility towards any political group.
It’s worth noting that Muafakat Nasional was initially established as a coalition between Umno and the Islamist party PAS. However, Annuar Musa formed a separate faction under the same MN name, consisting of individuals previously expelled from Umno by Zahid. This faction positioned itself as a pro-Malay platform, aiming to uphold the interests of the Malay community.
The Umno president, Zahid Hamidi, has stated that he will assess the report’s findings and subsequently take appropriate action. The incident underscores the complexities of party dynamics and affiliations within the Malaysian political landscape.