Don't polemicise issue of members leaving party, that's their rights - Azalina

KUALA PILAH - The accusations of Umno members having a massive walk out does not need to be polemicised as if the action was a sign that Malays were no longer supporting Umno's struggle.

Umno Information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said stated the actions were not against the laws as it was their rights.

“I think this (walk out) is democracy, those who want to leave the party, that’s their rights. Those wanting to enter the party it is also their rights.

“However, as some individuals stated, if Umno members leave, there are those from other parties leaving theirs as well.

“I think this statement is confusing, focusing on the side (despite) our true focus was to bring victory for candidates as voters are not only Umno members but PH (Pakatan Harapan) members as well,” she said.

She said such when met after a meet the people session with Juasseh BN candidate Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid on Friday.

Earlier Muafakat Nasional (MN) chairman Tan Seri Annuar Musa claimed many Umno members and leaders would leave the party following their lack of confidence towards the party’s struggle.

Meanwhile Ketereh Umno Division youth chief Afiq Amani Annuar who is also Annuar’s son announced that he would leave the party effective today.

Azalina who is also Pengerang MP stated that Umno is ‘not contesting’ in the elections for six states.

“Statement after statement by those who are angry at Umno, I would like to reiterate that Umno is not contesting today, the one contesting is BN.

“What was offered by BN was for (the sake of) the voters. I see many urban areas in the states have mixed constituents

“What would be their thought if when they go out to vote, there was movement to separate race and religion. This is not our culture,” she said.

The law minister stated the election would not be able to change the unity government administration.

Azalina criticised certain parties making claims that could be misinterpreted for the public.

“It (state elections) can’t change the Parliament situation because the general election (GE) had already taken place,” she explained.