Politics

Sacking, suspension of Umno leaders necessary to avoid split: Saarani

IPOH: The sacking and suspension of a group of Umno leaders was made to maintain the party's stability and unity within its ranks.

Perak Umno Liaison Committee chief Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said any failure to take action against these leaders for their indiscipline and acts of sabotage would have angered party members.

"Who can guarantee (what will happen) when a party member violates disciplinary regulations in such an extreme manner? These leaders tarnished the party's image, revealed its secrets and condemned the party president. They did not rebuke the president, but condemned him.

"No one could guarantee if Umno will remain stable if its disciplinary board failed to take action (against the leaders).

"People on the outside will blame the party president and disciplinary board for not taking action and this would have angered members and lead to a split within the party," he told reporters here today.

Saarani said the decision to sack and suspend the leaders was not solely made by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the disciplinary board had reached decision based on reports and complaints following an investigation carried out by the board.

"In Umno, the party president does not mete out punishment on wrongdoers. Instead, it is the disciplinary board which does that. The board forwarded its decision via the supreme council yesterday, and the president merely read what was decided by the board.

"If a party member lodges a complaint with the disciplinary board, the board will investigate and evaluate the matter before making a decision."

Saarani, who is Perak Menteri Besar urged party members to accept the decision and always adhere to party regulations.

"We must manage what happens as we move forward. If we had not taken action, other party members will be angry and this would have brought about a split within the party. It's better for us to adhere to the party's decision," he said.

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