KUALA KUBU BAHARU – Umno is no longer the protector of Malays as its leaders prioritise their self-interests over the welfare of the people, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor claims.
Sanusi, who is also Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) election director, said Umno was not functional, and Malays can no longer rely on the party.
“I know there are many Umno (members and supporters) in Kuala Kubu Baharu… but Umno can no longer be our ‘bahtera’ (protector), Umno is ‘gelong’ (not functional).
“Umno is only left with leaders who prioritise their own interests and have long abandoned the Malays,” he said at a PN ceramah in Batang Kali last night.
Sanusi also cited the example of former Umno leader Tan Sri Noh Omar, who served in Umno for a long time, and eventually ended up with PN.
At the same time, Sanusi also blamed Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, alleging that he failed to fulfil his role in disseminating government policies to the people.
He implied that Fahmi’s alleged failure was the cause of public criticism towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, without elaborating further.
He reiterated the same sentiment against Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu on the issue of local white rice supply shortages.
Also present at the event was Selangor PN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who claimed that the state government had dramatically increased property assessment tax rates.
He claimed that tax rates increased to RM429 per year, compared to RM191.40 previously.
Azmin, who is a former Selangor menteri besar, said the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) issued a notice on April 18, adding that the increment was “cruel”.
He also argued that the increase was unwarranted, particularly given the recent recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The people are in dire circumstances; the nation has just recovered from Covid-19. How many small businesses have closed down?
“The people are just recovering, and the government increased Selangor’s assessment rates in multiples without considering the people,” he added. – May 2, 2024