Latest news with #unity government
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
DAP MP slams MCA leader's remarks over meeting at Umno HQ
Chong Zhemin (left) said Mah Hang Soon's remarks on the DAP MPs' TVET briefing were vulgar and aimed at creating discord in the unity government. PETALING JAYA : Kampar MP Chong Zhemin has hit out at MCA deputy president Mah Hang Soon over his social media remarks ridiculing 30 DAP MPs who visited Umno's headquarters for a briefing on technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Chong said Mah's comments, including describing the MPs as 'infatuated schoolgirls' and 'so aroused it shows' were vulgar, demeaning and aimed at sowing discord within the unity government. He said the Aug 1 briefing, chaired by deputy prime minister and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his capacity as head of the national TVET council, was strictly about policy matters. 'The purpose of the visit by 30 DAP MPs was crystal clear: to strengthen policy coordination on TVET, improve resource allocation, and promote inter-ministerial cooperation,' he said in a statement today. 'This was part of normal administrative coordination within the unity government. It had nothing to do with political symbolism, and certainly does not require unsolicited criticism from MCA through a narrow partisan lens.' Chong also defended the choice of venue, saying Umno's headquarters was one of Zahid's official workspaces. He questioned why Mah had not voiced similar objections when MCA leaders, including the party president and youth chief, previously visited the building while in government. The DAP leaders who attended the briefing included the party's secretary-general, Loke Siew Fook, adviser Lim Guan Eng, and vice-chairman Chong Chieng Jen. Also present were Umno vice-president Johari Ghani and secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Free Malaysia Today
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno's future in unity govt hinges on power consensus, says Puad
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said Umno's strategic move to join the unity government had given the party time to rejuvenate itself. PETALING JAYA : Umno's future role with the unity government is likely to hinge on negotiations to achieve a consensus on policy decisions and on the powers of the prime minister, says Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi. In a posting in response to an analyst's claim that Umno would need 10 years to rise again, he said Umno's rise meant a return to political dominance and holding the prime minister's post. Puad said he had predicted it would take Umno 20 years to achieve that aim from the time Barisan Nasional (BN) lost power in 2018. 'Seven years have passed, leaving 12 years, two more than the 10 suggested by analyst Awang Azman Pawi,' he said. He said Umno had wisely made a strategic decision to be part of the unity government, formed in 2022. 'Being in the unity government has given Umno room to breathe and rise again,' he added. In the remaining time of the 12-year timeframe, Umno must legitimise its participation in the unity government, as many grassroots members remained wary of the alliance with former political rivals, he said. 'Umno must dominate the national narrative and strengthen its wings. Umno's ministers must be seen to perform,' he said. Looking ahead, he said a decision on whether to continue with the unity government would depend on expanded political cooperation in achieving policy consensus and negotiations on the powers of the prime minister. He did not elaborate. However, Umno leaders have in the past sought a greater say in the decisions of the unity government. Yesterday, FMT reported Awang Azman as saying that the Umno-led BN would need 10 more years to recover its grassroots support before the coalition is capable of going solo in general elections. 'In the long term, Umno will want to be the main player in alliances instead of just supplementing other parties,' he said, adding that dominance was almost a part of Umno's identity. Puad said in response that Umno would contest the general election under the BN logo but continue to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan to ensure no overlap of seats.
