BUKIT MERTAJAM: THE Penang Umno liaison committee should take action against Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief Datuk Khairuddin Abu Hassan over his remarks that the state Umno is sleeping.
The call came from state Umno Youth chief Rafizal Abd Rahim who claimed Khairuddin was trying to gain popularity through his comments reported in a pro-opposition news portal.
“I hope a special meeting can be convened immediately to discuss this matter and to take action, as the claims are untrue.
“I challenge Khairuddin to step down from his post and join the opposition to prove what he said is true,” Rafizal said after attending a ceremony to hand over aid to schoolchildren, organised by Nasmir Holdings Sdn Bhd in Juru here, yesterday.
A total of 1,000 students received school bags and cash, while 45 students who achieved excellent results in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah were also rewarded.
Rafizal was commenting on Khairuddin’s interview with Malaysiakini, in which the latter questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s appointment of candidates to top positions despite being routed in the last election.
Labelling the state Umno leadership as “weak and sleeping”, Khairuddin called on state Umno liaison chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman to step down and questioned the appointment of Teng Chang Yeow as Penang Barisan Nasional chairman.
Rafizal went on to claim that Khairuddin himself was seldom present during programmes held by the state Umno almost on a weekly basis.
“He is a local leader but lives in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, he does not attend many programmes.
“How then can he claim that we are all sleeping when he himself does not attend the programmes?”