IPOH - Former Umno Supreme Working Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman expresses concern about the future of the party in its struggle to defend the interests of Malays and Muslims.
He said, the party's voice was getting smaller and almost not heard in matters of sensitivity, especially those raised by leaders in government administration.
"Nowadays when there is an issue that threatens the dignity of the Malays, there is no voice from Umno. There are a few people who say frog firecrackers, but the rest choose to remain silent.
"I am saddened because from the Supreme Council to the divisions, everyone is silent as if they are thinking of their own interests, they want positions not for the party's struggle," he said.
He said this when met by reporters at the Iftar Perdana programme with Media Perak at Taj International College (TIC) here on Wednesday.
Tajuddin said that Umno should take advantage of the openness of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim by giving views and reprimands that could restore the trust of the Malays.
He said as a leader, Anwar was committed to fighting for the Malays but at the same time, he still looked after the interests and rights of non-Malays.
"It's not up to Anwar alone to defend the fate of the Malays. Umno should have played a role, then it has to deal with the struggle that the party has been leading since the beginning.
"If there is no change in terms of actions, service to the community and leadership, it will be difficult for Umno to recover and rise again," he said.
Previously, Tajuddin was suspended from party membership for six years following the decision of the Umno Supreme Council meeting held on Sept 30, 2022.
On July 21 last year, the former Pasir Salak Member of Parliament said that he had submitted an appeal four times, but his application went unanswered and did not intend to appeal again.