KLUANG: The actions of Several Pagoh UMNO division members who tendered their resignations to protest on the dismissal of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the party were seen as purely based on emotional sentiment, said UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
The Sembrong Member of Parliament said he totally understood the decisions made by the group but the emotional part could have been curbed using sincere explanation and approach.
“I agree with the arguments by (Johor) Menteri Besar and UMNO State Liaison chairman, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin on the matter (Muhyiddin’s dismissal) and I believe if we hold on to consistency, (and) values of struggle, we will see that it does not linger around personal (matter) but on the party’s interest.
“We saw that whatever was decided upon was based on discipline that ties us all including myself as Vice-President...what we understood in Pagoh, there was emotional sentiment but I hope it would not spread to other divisions. So far, I do not see (that),” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the Sembrong parliamentary-level “Rahmat Ramadan, Khatam Al-Quran and Majlis Kesyukuran Jiwa Murni” programme at Felda Ulu Dengar here today.
Hishammuddin who is also Defence Minister said the party, especially the Johor UMNO, had never placed personal interest before party’s interest since a long time ago.
“From the Tun Musa Hitam issue, Tun Dr Ismail issue when he was the Home Minister, (until) Datuk Onn Jaafar who was the UMNO founder. When he (Onn Jaafar) exited UMNO due to his advanced vision was not acepted by Johor (UMNO) and the Malays, it did not affect the party.
“(And) this is our value of the struggle and principles in Johor UMNO. I hope we can continue to defend. I believe that is how we are taught, raised, asked to engage in politics...I think that is the right way,” he said.
Asked whether the dismissal would affect the party in its preparations for the 14th General Election he said it would not affect the UMNO machinery especially in the Sembrong Parliamentary constituency.
This afternoon, the Pagoh UMNO Division committee members, namely its 6th Mile Branch chief, Datuk Abd Aziz Hashim; Parit Medan Branch chief Mohd Solehan Badri and the branch committee member Datuk Abu Bakar Mohamed tendered their resignations to protest the sacking of Muhyiddin who was also Pagoh UMNO Division chief.
Muhyiddin was sacked along with Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir following announcement made by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after a Supreme Council meeting yesterday.
The fate of suspended UMNO vice-president, Datuk Seri Shafie Afdal would be decided pending reports from the party’s Disciplinary Committee. --BERNAMA