Zahid Vows To Rid Umno Of Those Who Hurl Stones Hide Their Hands

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Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has promised to cleanse Umno of elements that are “detrimental” to the party, revealed supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
"In the president's briefing today, Zahid assured a total clean-up of elements that ‘hurl stones and hide their hands’ (anasir baling batu sembunyi tangan),” Puad said without mentioning names or elaborating on the matter. 
“The direction of Umno will be tabled during the president’s policy speech on Friday. Therefore, the total clean-up is strongly supported,” he added in a Facebook posting.
This Umno general assembly from Jan 11 to 15 is the first since Zahid agreed to work together with Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan to form the new government after the 15th general election.
The decision drew mixed reactions within Umno, with some disagreeing with the move.
Therefore, it is expected that Zahid will be challenged in the forthcoming Umno leadership elections, which would be held before May 19.
Mohd Puad ZarkashiOn another development, Puad said disciplinary action must be taken against the Umno state assemblypersons in Sabah who refuse to toe the party line.
"Umno is still faced with the issue of assemblypersons who did not adhere to the party's decision. They must be held accountable. Umno cannot be bought and sold. Have to be firm," he added. 
Puad said the Sabah cabinet reshuffle showed that the status quo formula proposed by the prime minister was rejected by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. 
‘Hajiji rejected unity government formula’
"It appeared that the swearing-in ceremony of Sabah's new cabinet continued this morning. This means Hajiji rejected the unity government formula of the prime minister.
"The prime minister's formula is to keep the status quo and Hajiji remains as chief minister without any cabinet reshuffle. However, with two Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons joining the new cabinet, it shows the prime minister approves it. 
"This means that there is a unity government (in Sabah) without BN. The ball is at the prime minister's feet. The concept of the unity government is getting more unique. The issue of Umno losing and Harapan winning doesn't arise. Hopefully, the political crisis in Sabah will be over," he said. 
Last Friday, Sabah BN and Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin announced that the state BN was withdrawing its support for Hajiji as the chief minister.
However, five BN lawmakers rebelled and pledged to continue supporting Hajiji.
Among them are Shahelmey Yahya (BN-Tanjung Keramat) and James Ratib (BN-Sugut).
Shahelmey has since been promoted to deputy chief minister, replacing Bung, while James was appointed as a state minister.
- Mkini

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