KUALA LUMPUR: Although some allegations made by former Umno Supreme Working Council (MKT) member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman are true, it has become irrelevant for it to be raised now.
Umno Veteran Chairman Datuk Othman Desa explained that the allegation by the Pasir Salak MP has already been clarified through several party platforms, including at the Umno General Assembly (AGM).
In fact, he said, Umno, through every discussion platform with the grassroots, had agreed that any major matter involving the party needed to be sorted by its top five leaders.
He said that although the matter raised by Tajuddin was proper and action had been taken at that time, it was not relevant now.
"Actually, we have discussed whether the 15th General Election (GE15) or any big matter involving the party will be left to the Top five. I don't understand why he (Tajuddin) raised an old story that is long gone.
"We in Umno want to look ahead. Old stories need not be raised again. Tajuddin's various allegations, including the sworn statement (SD) to support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister, are no longer relevant.
"Currently, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is the Prime Minister and Umno has agreed for him to be the 'poster boy' in GE15, while the President, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi manages the party," he told Berita Harian today.
Last Monday, Tajuddin claimed that there was an SD among Umno MPs to back Anwar as Prime Minister, following the rise of a new political alignment at that time in a meeting at a hotel in Kampung Baru, here.
Tajuddin also said that Zahid was not qualified to lead the Barisan Nasional (BN) component member and had to step down in an honourable manner in the party's interest.
On Umno's latest alleged internal crisis, Othman urged all quarters to stop polemicising it because such allegations do not exist, but there was unrest involving certain individuals.
Othman also advised Umno members and leaders to stop tarnishing the party's image, or seeking to lead the party for personal gain.
Instead he requested any issues involving the party to be left to the key party leaders based on the resolutions agreed through various platforms previously.
He said Umno was strong and urged individuals not to do anything which would weaken the party.
"We need to be open-minded for the good of Umno. Cease and don't make the situation worse. While Umno is being praised, there are some parties who are weakening the party. This should not happen," he said.
Commenting further, Othman explained that the Umno grassroots knew and understood the issue raised by Tajuddin through his press conference on Monday.
"They are mature and understand the issues involved. There is no internal unrest in Umno. Everyone must listen and abide by the decision of the MKT and party leaders," he said.