SHAH ALAM - Umno has a huge responsibility ahead to manage party members and the rakyat's perception, says Johor Menteri Besar after Umno leadership's massive purge to suspend and sacked almost 50 party leaders.
Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the move was a shock to many.
"I think many are shocked and saddened by the decision that came last night.
"It will be a huge responsibility for leaders to manage the perception of the party members as well as the rakyat in general," he was quoted in The Star.
The state government will continue to focus on developing the state with a united Bangsa Johor spirit towards 2030, he told reporters at the Johor-level Chinese New Year celebration at the Yong Peng Che Ann Khor Moral Uplifting Society yesterday.
However, he declined to comment further on the issue.
During Umno supreme council member meeting on Jan 27, former Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar were sacked while Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammudin Hussein is suspended.
Among other members who were suspended from the party for six years were former Umno Deputy Youth Chief Shahril Hamdan, Umno Youth Exco Fathul Bari Mat Jahya, former Jempol MP Salim Mohd Sharif and former Johor State Exco Maulizan Bujang.
The decision was announced after Umno’s supreme council meeting following Khairy's previous allegations that there were dirty tactics to ensure that Umno's two top positions were not contested at the recent general assembly.