KUALA LUMPUR – Umno has removed Isham Jalil from its supreme council following his vocal dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership.
The decision was announced by a Umno official who attended the party meeting, chaired by president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as reported by a local news portal.
Earlier today, Isham reiterated his refusal to attend the scheduled party meeting tonight, asserting that he would not compromise as long as Zahid continued to align with DAP in the elections.
“Why should I conform to his wishes and face him? If the president is sincere, perhaps he can accept my challenge to debate in a neutral setting before the public – if he dares,”
“As a member of the supreme council for the second term, I can predict what Zahid will do in that meeting. Why should I follow his whims and show up at his doorstep?”
This follows Zahid challenging Isham to attend the party meeting tonight after allegedly missing it three times before.
“If (Isham) has a different opinion, he can voice it (at the supreme council meeting). So far, he has missed the meetings three times.
“Hopefully, he has the courage to attend tonight and express his dissenting views when we seek collaboration with Pakatan Harapan to form the unity government,” Zahid said.
Zahid made these remarks while responding to Isham’s earlier statement which attributed Barisan Nasional candidate’s defeat in the Kemaman by-election to Umno leaders excessively defending DAP.
Isham has insisted that Zahid needs to acknowledge the reality and not be in denial that more Malays are rejecting Umno because of its decision to participate in elections with DAP after the 15th general election.
“If this continues, Umno will crumble in a few years because of this decision. Umno is a sacred party that has advocated for Malays in Malaysia for so long. Let’s not let the selfish interests of the entire party destroy it.
“If Zahid resigns, I will resign too. We are willing to sacrifice as long as this sacred party can be saved while there’s still time,” Isham said. – December 6, 2023