KOTA BARU: Pas believes its political rival Umno will lose supporters after it axed and suspended several party leaders and members.
Pas vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the Islamic party suspected that the Barisan Nasional backbone party was facing internal problems, forcing party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take such a drastic measure.
"It is Umno's right to take action against members for violating rules. People can see that Umno has taken a drastic approach due to its internal problems.
"From a political point of view, we can see that the party president is desperate. He wants to ensure that his position in the party is secure."
Amar, who is Kelantan deputy menteri besar, said this after handing over appointment letters to 288 council members from all 12 municipal councils in Kelantan here today.
He said Umno's decision would cost the party voters in the coming state elections, especially in Selangor.
"The sacking of the party's former Selangor Liaison Committee chief Tan Sri Noh Omar will affect support as he is very well-known there."
He said Pas had always adopted an open approach and welcomed anyone interested in joining the party.
"It is not a problem for us to accept anyone who wants to be with us as our door is open to all.
"But we will not push or persuade them to join us."
He said Pas believed there would be a quiet protest among Umno members following the latest development.
Following the Umno supreme council meeting on Friday, chaired by Zahid, the party sacked former health minister and former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Noh.
Several Umno leaders were suspended from the party for six years, including Sembrong member of parliament Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, former Jempol MP Datuk Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif and Tebrau Umno division chief Datuk Maulizan Bujang.
DAP yesterday expressed concern over Umno's decision to sack and suspend several leaders, saying it would affect the people's support for the unity government.
DAP deputy chairman Dr P. Ramasamy said this was concerning as state polls would be called this year.
He said the situation exacerbated Umno's poor performance in winning the support of Malay voters.
He called on Umno's leadership to immediately strengthen the party's position.