“Purging” of Umno leaders necessary, says Puad

SHAH ALAM - The sacking and suspension of rogue Umno leaders and members was a necessary move, says Umno Supreme Council working committee member Datuk Puad Zarkashi.

He said the party needed to be brave in taking action against those who had slandered the party.

He said the cleanup of such individuals who had tarnished Umno’s image was parallel with Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s presidential address remarks at the 2022 Umno General Assembly this month.

He cited several names important names involved in the sacking and suspension including former Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Deputy Youth Chief Shahril Hamdan, former Jempol Datuk Seri MP Salim Shariff

He stated that Umno’s action was nothing extradionary as other parties such as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia also sacked its founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

He also cited PKR sacking Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Tian Chua and Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Commenting on the sacking of Khairy, Puad said the ex-Rembau MP had resorted to attacking Umno and Zahid during the 15th General Election (GE15), Turing Umno into a scapegoat to garner votes for himself in the fight for the Sungai Buloh seat.

He, however, said Hishammuddin’s actions were even more extraordinary.

"He was not daunted in turning his back on the party, taking Umno MPs to (Datuk Seri) Azmin Ali's home, telling (Umno) division chiefs in Sabah to join Bersatu.

"The main mover of BN MP's signing the SD (Statutory declaration) in backing (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) is Hishamuddin", he said.

Puad added that some will say that the Umno disciplinary action may lead to young people abandoning Umno.

However, he said this was something the party could deal with.

"We ask again, how many young people did they bring in to support the Umno struggle?"

According to Puad, the decision to sack and suspend party leaders and members was decided under the recommendation of the Umno disciplinary board, not the president.

In statement last night, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said a total of 48 leaders were sacked and suspended.