Saifuddin Abdullah should join the opposition if he enjoys attending their programmes and considers them better than Umno, said party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

He also cautioned the former deputy minister and ex-Termerloh MP not to be an enemy within.

“If he enjoys attending opposition programmes, I suggest he joins the opposition and then he can do what he likes.

“Don’t be a thorn in the flesh. If you think the opposition is better, go to the opposition,” Tengku Adnan ( photo ) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Saifuddin was slapped with a show-cause letter after he attended the recent discussions and subsequent unveiling of the new opposition pact called Pakatan Harapan.

In a text message to Malaysiakini , Saifuddin said he attends all kinds of activities organised by various organisations.

“In politics, there is such thing called bi-partisan politics. But he (Tengku Adnan) can have his views, I have no problem with that,” he added.

Tengku Adnan also said that Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas' statement on Saifuddin attending the opposition roundtable meeting was merely his personal opinion.

As the party's secretary-general, Tengku Adnan said he was merely doing his duty when he sent the show-cause letter to to Saifuddin.

Following that, he leaves it to the disciplinary board to decide whether to punish Saifuddin or not, he said.

'I send them a letter'

"That is Megat Najmuddin's opinion. He is a member on the Umno disciplinary board. As the secretary-general, I follow the Umno constitution.

"It is up to the disciplinary board whether they want to suspend or kick him out (if Saifuddin is found guilty). I have no powers.

“I am merely doing my duty as the secretary-general. What should I do? If someone goes against the party's ethics, then I send them a letter," Tengku Adnan said.

Saifuddin received the show-cause letter from Umno following his attendance at the opposition roundtable meeting on Sept 22.

He said he attended the meeting as a representative of the NGO Akademi Belia, which he chairs with former Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga.

The meeting culminated in the formation of a new opposition coalition called Pakatan Harapan.

Saifuddin has been given 14 days to answer the show-cause letter.

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