SHAH ALAM - The Umno supreme council must reach a consensus if they want to lift the suspension of former Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as the decision could affect internal support and the party's image.
Universiti Malaya (UM) Department of Sociocultural senior lecturer Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Pawi said Umno’s consideration of reinstating Tajuddin might raise concerns about the firmness of Umno’s leadership in handling the controversial issue.
"This issue depends on the matter of harm. Will reinstating Tajuddin cause loyal members within Umno to feel that the top leadership is not firm in addressing this issue?
"Will his reinstatement be able to attract Umno supporters and make the party more respected? These are the questions that need to be considered by the party's supreme council.
"Whatever the decision, it must involve comprehensive views," he said.
Awang said if the appeal by the former deputy agriculture and agro-based industry minister is not entertained, it shows that the top Umno leadership is taking stern action based on Tajuddin's offence, which is deemed serious and serves as a lesson.
"Perhaps this forgiveness could cause loyal members of the party to feel dissatisfied because it favours an individual who, during a time when Umno needed support and encouragement, openly criticised the party.
"Do we always need to turn a blind eye to those who oppose their own party? Most importantly, the top leadership needs to consider what the grassroots feel and take care of their sensitivities," he added.
However, Awang said he believed that if the top leadership accepted the application to lift the suspension of the former Prasarana Malaysia Berhad chairman, Umno will be seen as a magnanimous party.
"If Umno reinstates Tajuddin before the suspension period is over, it will certainly show the party’s openness towards its members, especially those who write letters and appeal to return to Umno.
"In fact, Umno could be seen as a more open party, ready to forgive and magnanimous," he said.
On Sunday, the Pasir Salak Wanita Umno unanimously approved a motion urging the top leadership to withdraw the suspension imposed on Tajuddin, who was once Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia
Its leader, Rahayu Tajuddin said the motion was submitted in a delegation meeting to show grassroots support for the former division head, stating that he remained loyal to the party despite the action taken against him.
Additionally, Umno veterans have requested the party's top leadership, especially Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to review the four appeals submitted by Tajuddin regarding his suspension.
Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Seremban Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies senior lecturer in Political Science Dr Ariff Aizuddin Azlan believed it was inappropriate for Umno to reverse the decision as it will create a new perception that any Umno member should be given a second chance after committing serious offences within the party.
"It is not appropriate for Umno to reverse the decision because other members, besides Tajuddin, will also hold the same hope that their suspensions can be revoked, showing Umno’s indifference in handling internal disciplinary issues.
"What Umno needs to do now is to give space to new faces and prioritise unwavering efforts to strengthen the party with fresh thinking and clear missions," he said.
He added that if the Umno supreme council lifted the suspension, it would indirectly send a message that the party does not take full responsibility for its members.
"Although at the same time, it may appear that the party is magnanimous, little by little, it can undermine the party’s structure itself and give the impression that Umno lacks new successors to highlight as it still relies on old faces.
"This openness phenomenon will have serious implications for Umno. The trust of the grassroots will begin to erode and they will start distancing themselves from the party.
"Therefore, if this happens, it might mark a significant history where a negative perception of the party will begin to form," he said.