PUTRAJAYA: The status of former minister Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim’s membership in Umno is still unclear, as an investigation into whether he breached the party’s constitution is ongoing.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said he received reports that Rais allegedly posted several messages on social media which were unfavourable to Umno – but the party is still probing the allegation.
“As Umno secretary-general, I have to be fair on this matter. If it is true that (Rais) has breached the party’s ethics and constitution, then action will be taken against him.
“I have received reports that Rais took to social media to condemn Umno, but we need to check this first, because anything can happen on the internet. It could be (from a) fake account.
“The party has its own structure, and we need to use the right platform when taking action. If it is proven that he has done something to destroy or weaken the party, then he will face the music.
“For now, (his) status is still vague,” Tengku Adnan told reporters after the ground-breaking ceremony for the Ar-Rahman Mosque and religious school at Presint 16, here today.
Yesterday, Umno veterans and former ministers Tun Daim Zainuddin and Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz were sacked from the party effective Friday, while Rais was placed under investigation.
The move to terminate the membership of Daim and Rafidah was based on their support for opposition parties, as well as for being critical of Umno.
Daim and Rafidah were recently seen with opposition leader Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the opposition’s campaign in Melaka.
Tengku Adnan, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general, said he has the authorisation to sack those found violating the party’s constitution.
“As Umno secretary-general, I have the power to take action against errant party members. So there is no need to question my position. Whoever crossed the line will be sacked.
“I don’t know why they want to disgrace Umno. Have they forgotten who they are? Their family and children can live comfortably because of the policies of the BN government,” he added.
On the Presint 16 event, Tengku Adnan said the development of the mosque and religious school, worth RM25 million, is expected to be completed in 2022.