SHAH ALAM: Selangor Umno has distanced itself from Malaysian NGOs Coalition chairman Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos, who earlier today stirred controversy by smashing crates of beer in front of the state secretariat building to protest beer festivals in the state.
Selangor Umno information chief Datuk Zein Isma Ismail said the actions of Jamal, who is also the party's Sungai Besar division chief, had nothing to do with them.
“Jamal did not do it on the name of Selangor Umno, but under the capacity of the NGOs Coalition. It so happens that he is a member of the Selangor Umno liaison committee. So do not be mistaken,” Zein told a press conference at the Selangor Umno headquarters today.
Zein also called on Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali to make a firm stand over the two-day German Food and Beverage Festival set to take place in Centro Mall in Klang, instead of skirting around the issue and pointing fingers at the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
Zein said Azmin, as the head of the state administration, should not dodge the issue and pass the buck to MPK.
“Azmin is running away from this and being illogical by saying that MPK is the authority that decides if the event could proceed or otherwise. But at the end of day, who does MPK report to? He should not say that MPK calls the shot and pass the responsibility to others.
“It all boils down to Azmin (to make the decision), so do not play politics. The Inspector-General of Police (Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun) and a minister has already said that there are security concerns over the beer fest. Azmin should not be stubborn about it,” said Zein.
Zein added that DAP exco Datuk Teng Chang Khim had expressed that there was no problem with the event being held.
“DAP appears to be the one controlling everything in Selangor. Azmin as Selangor MB must speak up. This is not a small issue and it should be studied very carefully as it is highly sensitive,” added Zein.
At the press conference, Zein also announced that Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib, who recently rejoined Umno, will be appearing as a featured guest in a speaking tour to address current issues in Selangor.
Zein said the first paft of the tour will begin at the Lembah Jaya constituency on Oct 17 followed by Meru and Dusun Tua. Nine more constituencies are slated for November.
"Tan Sri (Muhammad) will be sharing his experience of being with the opposition parties for five years and what was it like. He will also expose the shortcomings of the opposition bloc in a bid to remind voters, especially in Selangor, so that they would not vote wrongly in the next general election.
“Muhammad, who was a Selangor Menteri Besar for 11 years, Umno vice-president and Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman, is not a small-time politician. He is still influential enough to convince not only the young voters but also the veterans to reject Pakatan Harapan in Selangor.
“We are happy to have him back and we see him as a big-hearted politician who was not afraid to admit his mistake of leaving Umno back then,” said Zein.
Muhammad left Umno in 2013 to join Pas. He subsequently joined PKR in 2015.