KEMAMAN: Umno members of parliament will never leave the party or switch their support towards Perikatan Nasional (PN) as claimed by Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang during the Kemaman by-election campaign last week.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki dismissed Hadi's statement that PN is in the midst of attempting to lure Umno representatives to jump ship and be part of the coalition in its bid to form the government.
"All 30 Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno MPs have signed an agreement before becoming candidates in the 15th general election (GE15), if they violate or disobey the party's order then they will voluntarily relinquish their party positions and the seat will be vacated paving the way for a by-election.
"All the BN MPs have agreed in the agreement that if they disobey the party then they will have to pay a RM100 million bond. This is similar to the agreement between PKR and Zuraida (Kamaruddin) where the court has ordered her to pay (the RM10 million she signed) so the deal is valid....BN also has a similar agreement with all its MPs.
"Why would Umno MPs want to support PN which will never form the government with the current support from 69 individuals (elected representatives)....it is best for the MPs to remain with the unity government to continue receiving their allocation for development and serving their constituents," he said during the Kemaman by-election campaign here.
Asyraf was among the three panelists in the forum on 'Common Points in Strengthening Unity' in conjunction with the by-election which was also joined by Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman and Juasseh assemblyman Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid.
Meanwhile, Asyraf said judging by the three factors, he does not anticipate any of the MPs turning their back towards the party and shifting their support towards PN as alleged by Hadi.
During the "Ceramah Perdana" at Dewan Sivik Kijal here on Nov 22, Hadi mentioned that PN is persuading Umno MPs to join them as not everyone (in Umno) supports BN's alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) under the unity government banner. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/11/981837/we-are-convincing-um...)
Meanwhile, Asyraf said the unity government currently has the support from 153 MPs after Bukit Gantang MP, Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, became the fifth person to announce his support for Anwar while PN has the support from 69 elected representatives.
"Hadi had described the Kemaman by-election as vital to bring in changes to the government and PN is trying to woo Umno MPs. Once he mentioned that, it is his own MP (from PN) who pledged support for the prime minister....the MP has jumped ship (show support for rival).
"PN support has dropped to 69 and how can they change the government when there has to be at least 112 seats to form a government. Where is PN going to find the MPs when those in the coalition are also abandoning it.
"I believe that Pas or Bersatu will not dare to sack those who have pledged their support for the unity government. They will remain as party members but continue supporting the prime minister....with the support from 153 elected representatives, we have a stable government," he said.
Meanwhile, Syefura said she has been with DAP for 10 years and the party was not a racist and anti-Islamic party as alleged by certain quarters.
"I am still a Malay Muslim wearing a 'tudung' (headscarf) and continue carrying out my duties as a Muslim. I have been with DAP for 10 years despite being alleged it is a communist, traitorous and racist party.
"We cannot compare party with religion as the (political) party is the vehicle for us to serve the people.The party is there to allow people to choose the government.....even I myself am a Malay and I will not let my party oppress the (rights of) the Malays," she said.
The Kemaman parliamentary seat by-election is a straight fight between Barisan Nasional's Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Terengganu menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who was picked to represent Pas.
The by-election was called following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court on Sept 26 to annul the victory of Pas candidate Che Alias Hamid in the 15th general election.