Latest news with #KhirToyo
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Umno's 'old guard' will lead to more defeats, warns Khir Toyo
Khir drew a contrast to his own actions, noting that he had resigned after losing the 2008 general election to pave the way for new faces. Khir Toyo made these remarks during an interview titled 'From Umno to Bersatu: Khir Toyo's New Chapter in Malaysian Politics,' held at the Karangkraf Complex. SHAH ALAM – Umno's refusal to change and its continued control by the old guard will likely lead to an even worse outcome for the party in the 16th General Election (GE16), according to former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo. He said it was disappointing that many Umno leaders refuse to take responsibility despite the party's heavy defeats in past elections. Khir drew a contrast to his own actions, noting that he had resigned after losing the 2008 general election to pave the way for new faces. He said that for Umno to become a dominant party again, it must take drastic action. 'But today's leaders, who lose in divisional contests and even in general elections, still refuse to step down. "So how can young talents enter Umno to bring about reform and recovery?' he asked. Former Selangor MB Khir Toyo joins Bersatu Khir Toyo made these remarks during an interview titled 'From Umno to Bersatu: Khir Toyo's New Chapter in Malaysian Politics,' held at the Karangkraf Complex. MORE TO FOLLOW...
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR leader dismisses Puad's Selangor claim as ‘coffee shop talk'
PKR Youth deputy chief Izuan Kasim (left) said Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi's remarks sometimes did not reflect the direction taken by the Umno president. PETALING JAYA : A PKR leader has dismissed as mere 'coffee shop talk' a remark by Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi that it is not impossible for Umno to become dominant in Selangor. PKR Youth deputy chief Izuan Kasim told FMT that by the same logic, PKR could also become the dominant party in Johor and Melaka. 'Statements like this really don't need to be made publicly. It's fine for casual chats with friends at a coffee shop, but there's no need to make such remarks officially. 'Especially since he's not a low-ranking leader – he holds a top position. Sometimes what he says doesn't reflect the direction taken by his party president,' said Izuan, who is also the Kota Damansara assemblyman. Yesterday, Puad took a jab at Khir Toyo's move to join Bersatu, blaming the former Selangor menteri besar for Umno's loss of power in the state – a loss that persists to this day. When explaining his decision to join Bersatu, Khir claimed that Umno had lost all ambition to lead the government, whether at the federal level or in Selangor. He said Umno had become merely a supplementary party, lacking the ambition to return to power. Khir, a former Umno Supreme Council member, also believes that the party would not be allocated enough parliamentary seats in the next general election. In response, Puad argued that politics today required wisdom and trust, and that Umno's return to dominance was not far-fetched. He said that if Umno could lead in Perak and Pahang with fewer seats, it is certainly possible in Selangor, too. Izuan, however, warned that such statements could make it more difficult for Umno heading into the next general election, especially since such decisions were made by the top leadership. He added that, unlike Umno, PKR was more flexible and capable of making collective decisions, drawing from its involvement in coalitions like Pakatan Rakyat, Pakatan Harapan and now the unity government. 'We (PKR) are sincere in how we operate. But really, his (Puad's) remarks were unnecessary. There's no need to paint such a picture – he should just go enjoy his breakfast quietly,' Izuan quipped. Meanwhile, PKR central leadership council member G Gunarajah said Puad's comments should be made more carefully, especially in the current context where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leads a unity government. He said the unity government – which has restored political stability and investor confidence – was not built on party dominance, but on shared responsibility. 'The same applies in Selangor. Under (menteri besar) Amirudin Shari, the state administration has shown consistent and progressive achievements, and enjoys strong support across communities. 'If you want to show strength, do it by serving the people, not by trying to dominate your partners. Dominance doesn't need to be declared – let the people judge us by our performance and sincerity.'
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Khir Toyo backing PN won't help coalition retake Selangor, say analysts
An analyst said the influence of former menteris besar Khir Toyo and Azmin Ali (centre), along with former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar, is still not strong enough to help PN reclaim the state. PETALING JAYA : By joining Bersatu, former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo may help Perikatan Nasional (PN) strengthen its position in Malay-majority areas – but it is unlikely to be enough for the coalition to reclaim control of the state, say analysts. Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Khir teaming up with two other political heavyweights in Selangor, former menteri besar Azmin Ali and former state Umno chief Noh Omar, would certainly give PN a boost. Awang Azman Pawi. However, he noted that the trio's influence is largely confined to Malay-majority constituencies and would do little to sway support from non-Malay voters. 'The current state government remains strong in mixed and urban seats. The Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance has the advantage in urban areas such as Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, and Serdang. 'As long as support from non-Malay and young voters remain with the unity government, it will be difficult for this PN trio to retake the entire state,' he told FMT. 'That said, PH-BN must remain cautious. They shouldn't be too quick to dismiss these seasoned political figures as irrelevant.' According to Awang Azman, the true strength of the trio depends on how well they can unify grassroots party machinery, present a fresh narrative, and overcome the public's negative perception, especially in light of Khir's previous conviction. Khir, a former three-term assemblyman, was sentenced to a year in prison in 2015 for abuse of power over the purchase of land and a bungalow and was released on parole after serving six months. Awang Azman said Khir's entry into Bersatu could also help reconcile the long-standing rivalry between factions that had previously supported Khir and Noh. 'This signals their willingness to put old Umno rivalries behind them in pursuit of a larger political goal – defeating PH-BN in Selangor. 'They realise that political survival demands compromise. In this context, the ambition to retake Selangor takes precedence over personal grudges,' he said, referring to the rivalry between Khir and Noh over the menteri besar's post during the 13th general election in 2013. Meanwhile, Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara believes Khir is unlikely to spark any political upset in the next election, as he is widely viewed as politically irrelevant and still tainted by his past conviction for abuse of power. Ariff Aizuddin Azlan. He said Selangor voters are looking for a fresh leader with strong, innovative ideas and the ability to inspire a sense of change that resonates with the public. 'To win Selangor, PN needs a more substantial narrative. 'The coalition must offer a new formula, such as good governance and shared economic prosperity regardless of race or religion,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno has lost its ambition, says Khir Toyo after joining Bersatu
Former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo said he had met with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Azmin Ali before deciding to join their party. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : Umno has lost all ambition to lead the government, whether at the federal level or in Selangor, said former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo in explaining his decision to join Bersatu. Khir, who served as menteri besar from 2000 to 2008, confirmed that he was accepted into Bersatu on July 1. He said Umno had become merely a supplementary party, lacking the ambition to return to power. 'In Selangor, for example, they were only allowed to contest 12 state seats (in the August 2023 state election). How is it possible to become a menteri besar with only 12 seats, even if you win them all?' he asked. The former Umno Supreme Council member also believes that the party will not be allocated enough parliamentary seats in the next general election (GE16). 'At the federal level, I think Umno will be given fewer than 40 seats. Even if it wins all of them, can it regain the prime minister's post? 'That's why Umno is now just a 'supplementary' party, no longer dominant like before,' he said. Khir told FMT he had met Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Azmin Ali before deciding to join the party, adding that his decision was made 'maturely and thoughtfully'. The former Sungai Panjang assemblyman also dismissed suggestions that he joined Bersatu out of frustration or bitterness. 'I'm not disappointed, I've already reached a high position as a menteri besar and I have no ambition to helm that post again,' he said. Khir said it was important for a political party to have clear aspirations to lead the government. 'I just want to help a party that has the ambition to become the government. I'm not looking to be a menteri besar again. We must give way to others, but the party must have ambition. 'If you want to help the Malays, you must have power,' he said. Since 2008, PKR has led the Selangor government through Pakatan Rakyat and now Pakatan Harapan, after the Barisan Nasional state administration fell out of power under Khir's leadership. Khir, a former three-term assemblyman, was sentenced to a year in prison in 2015 for abuse of power over the purchase of land and a bungalow and was released on parole after serving six months. He attempted a political comeback in the 15th general election, announcing his intention to contest the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat. However, BN decided to nominate Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos as its candidate instead. Jamal came up third-best in the four-cornered contest, with Bersatu's Muslimin Yahaya winning the seat with a 2,721-vote majority.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Irrelevant' Khir Toyo out of touch with reality, says Umno leader
Umno leader Puad Zarkashi (left) said it was former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo who led Umno into falling out of power in the state. PETALING JAYA : An Umno leader has hit back at former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo after he accused his former party of losing all ambition to lead the government. Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said Khir appeared to be out of touch with current political realities, especially when it comes to having a dominant party in government. Puad said political dominance needed to be redefined within the context of power-sharing, which he said was a common occurrence worldwide. 'Being dominant doesn't necessarily mean that Umno must contest more seats and win a two-thirds majority. In the context of power-sharing, we must be dominant in championing the people's agenda, having high-performing ministers, and upholding consistent principles. 'Dominance doesn't just mean having greater numbers,' he said in a Facebook post. Puad said sharing power at the federal level while governing Johor, Melaka, Perak and Pahang already gave Umno a good start towards becoming dominant again. 'It's not impossible to regain our past dominance. Umno is leading the Perak and Pahang state governments despite having fewer seats, so it wouldn't be impossible for this to happen in Selangor as well. 'So Khir's excuse (that Umno has lost its ambition) for him to join Bersatu is far from the reality of today's new politics. He is no longer relevant and brings no added value to Bersatu,' he said. Earlier today, Khir said Umno had become merely a supplementary party, lacking the ambition to return to power, both at the federal level and in Selangor. The former Umno leader, who recently joined Bersatu, said Umno must be the main party in power if it wanted to help the Malays. Khir was Selangor menteri besar from 2000 to 2008, when Pakatan Rakyat ousted his state administration at the polls. Since then, the Selangor government has been led by PKR. Puad said Umno has lost nothing from Khir's departure, adding that it was his 'broom legacy' that led to the party losing power in Selangor in 2008. He was referring to when Khir, as menteri besar in 2007, had given the humiliating 'award' of brooms to officers of local councils that were deemed to have underperformed in various areas. 'Umno grassroots, civil servants, the Malays and Malaysians at large won't forget Khir's 'broom legacy'. It was the reason why Umno fell out of power in Selangor till this day. 'Now he wants to talk about regaining dominance, especially in Selangor,' he said, claiming that Khir left Umno because he was not fielded in the 2022 general election.
