The gathering to be attended by Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman tonight hopefully will not become a platform to break up harmony in the party.

Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said although the assembly was approved in terms of party ethics, it should not have been held outside the Umno general assembly that would start tomorrow.

“I understand that the leader or individual concerned does not have adequate space to throw out his opinion to the extent of making the gathering as an alternative to clarify and defend issues which he feels should be explained to the sympathising groups or individuals.

“But, I believe the individual or organiser concerned has no intention to split Umno but merely wants to throw out his views to be heard by us and the leaders in the government and Umno,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said this at a media conference after a meeting with the Minister of Law and Ministerial Adviser to the Australian Prime Minister on Handling Terrorism, Michael Keenan in Putrajaya today.

Ahmad Zahid stressed that Umno members should use the Umno general assembly, which is the biggest party gathering, as the venue to voice their opinion instead of using other platforms.

“So, I think it is better if we (Umno members) do not attend the gathering because it gives the impression as though a split is occurring in the party,” he said.

Asked on the effects of the gathering to the Umno general assembly, Ahmad Zahid said Umno had the experience in facing such a situation like the clash between Team A and Team B as well as the expulsion of Anwar Ibrahim from Umno and as deputy prime minister.

- Bernama