Umno members urged to not sabotage party during Johor by-elections

JOHOR BARU: A local Umno leader has urged members in Pulai and Simpang Jeram not to vote for Perikatan Nasional in the upcoming by-elections. Johor Umno information chief Datuk Md Jais Sarday emphasized the importance of remembering the party’s struggles in championing Malay rights, Islam as the official religion, and the royal institution. He also noted that even DAP leaders have acknowledged their agreement with these principles. He urged members to let go of any animosity between Umno and DAP and consider the party’s future.

Md Jais acknowledged that there are still Umno members in Johor who do not fully comprehend the party’s role in the unity government. He shared that Perikatan aims to instill fear in Malays by suggesting that they will lose power if they support the unity government. However, he clarified that Umno has not merged with DAP, but rather belongs to Barisan, which consists of Umno, MCA, and MIC. DAP is part of Pakatan Harapan alongside Amanah and PKR. He emphasized that the unity government comprises 19 parties, including Barisan, Pakatan, and parties from Sabah and Sarawak. Md Jais added that Umno and Barisan are actively mobilizing their supporters to vote for Amanah in the by-elections.

Md Jais also highlighted the contributions of the late Pulai Umno chief Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, who served as the party secretary-general. He recalled the dispute in 1987 between Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which resulted in the courts declaring Umno illegal. This led to the formation of Umno Baru by Dr Mahathir and Semangat 46 by Razaleigh. Mohamed Rahmat played a crucial role in transforming Umno and attracting former members back to the party. Md Jais urged Umno members to remain loyal and not allow the influence of the “green wave” from the north to enter Johor.

The Pulai parliamentary seat will witness a three-cornered fight between Pakatan’s Suhaizan Kayat, Perikatan’s Zulkifli Jaafar, and Independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi. Similarly, the Simpang Jeram state seat is being contested by Pakatan’s Nazri Abdul Rahman, Perikatan’s Mohd Mazri Yahya, and Independent candidate Jeganathan Subramaniam. These by-elections were triggered by the death of Amanah deputy president and domestic trade and cost of living minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.