Shahrir: Answers needed from Umno on issues testing grassroots support

Umno veteran Shahrir Samad hinted that support for the party as part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration could lie in its ability to respond to issues of concern.

The former Johor BN chief specifically pointed to questions over Umno’s stand on the sale of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) shares to a Blackrock-linked company, as well as the alleged existence of a "royal addendum” linked to former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s bid for house arrest.

Shahrir also said the grassroots support for Umno after it moved to join forces with Pakatan Harapan is being "tested” ahead of the 16th general election.

"The issues happening now are testing grassroots support on the present formula (for Umno) to ‘sit together’ (with new allies),” the former Johor Bahru MP told Malaysiakini when met at the party’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

“Issues surrounding MAHB, the royal addendum… There need to be satisfactory answers for those who remain on the fence.

"There are even Umno people now on the fence,” he added, in warning that the party risks losing more support unless “good explanations” are given to issues raised.

Umno-PAS talks

Asked about his views on rumours of purported talks to form new political alliances for the 16th general election, Shahrir said the situation remains unclear with reported insistence from PAS and denials from Umno.

"Sometimes, anything is possible. For one thing said to be true, or the other thing said to be true.

“We don’t know what the real situation is. For the time being, I feel Anwar will continue to receive support from Umno and others (in government),” Shahrir said.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari sparked the latest round of speculations surrounding purported talks with Umno, which party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has since denied.

Within BN, the coalition was also hit by rumours of purported plans by MCA and MIC to break ranks, which were also denied.

Next PM

Other than questions over Umno’s future political direction, Shahrir today shared his concern surrounding Anwar’s successor as prime minister.

He claimed the person will not be either of the two current deputy prime ministers - Zahid and Fadillah Yusof representing Gabungan Parti Sarawak - but rather, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli who is also PKR deputy president.

“My concern, if Anwar is ill, who will be prime minister? Rafizi? Not the two deputy prime ministers,” he said.

Since retiring from active politics after decades in government, 74-year-old Shahrir remained as an Umno loyalist but a fierce critic of what he termed as “dishonest power” which could result in political instability.

Aside from internal critics, other former Umno leaders and members who left or were sacked after GE15 had also targeted the party for its cooperation with the DAP - once regarded as an arch-political nemesis.

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