Umno Youth passes resolution supporting ceasefire, rejecting Anwar, DAP
Umno's Youth wing met online last night and adopted resolutions formalising its support for the political ceasefire announced by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. They also rejected any cooperation with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan, singling out DAP in particular.
According to a statement by Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (above), the group passed six resolutions as follows:
1) To support the political ceasefire as suggested by the Umno president and immediately stop any power struggle polemics when the people are struggling and worried about facing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the consequences of the economic crisis.
2) To reject any cooperation with Anwar or parties in Harapan, especially DAP, to bring down the current government, only to fulfil Anwar's desire to become the prime minister.
3) To urge the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to immediately prepare a Special Action Plan (Blueprint) to deal with the crisis of 2.4 million people who will lose their jobs and more than 1.26 million people who are expected to experience poverty over the next few months.
4) To recommend the government to give a broad extension of the loan moratorium for at least another three months.
5) To ask the government to consider additional assistance of RM1,000 per recipient of Bantuan Prihatin Nasional in Sabah which would only cost RM737 million, as this is much faster and more effective than the delivery of food basket assistance which is complicated by logistical problems and incomplete recipient records.
6) To mobilise the Umno Youth machinery throughout 191 divisions to be a facilitator between the people and government agencies, especially to help youths suffering from economic and social barriers.
These resolutions follow on the back of Asyraf's Facebook post yesterday saying it was time for politicians to cease fire in the name of national reconciliation to find the best solution for the people.
"Alhamdulillah (thank God), the Umno leadership listened to the voice of the (Umno) youth to have a political ceasefire to focus on the agenda to tackle Covid-19 and help the people who are affected by the pandemic," he said.
Asyraf's deputy Shahril Hamdan (photo) also backed the move, saying that the political truce would minimise political games that the people do not like and allow the party to focus on the people's agenda, especially addressing economic and health challenges.
"Supporting the government today means that there will be no more rumours of forcing an early general election with the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic impact," Shahril said on Facebook.
He welcomed the move to strengthen cooperation between PN parties for the sake of stability.
"There needs to be sincerity and any negotiations should be carried out by those entrusted to do so behind the scenes," the Umno information chief added.
Yesterday, Zahid (photo) had said the party will strengthen its cooperation with all PN members.
“(Umno will) direct all party leaders who are currently in the cabinet to give full concentration on efforts to help the people and relieve their burden as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic impact.
“Cooperation with all parties in the PN government should be strengthened to ensure political stability at a time the country faces the Covid-19 threat and economic uncertainty,” he said.
This contrasted with the move on Oct 13, when Umno’s political bureau chaired by Zahid passed a resolution to consider withdrawing its support for PN and to set new terms for continuing its cooperation with the PN government.
That statement was believed to be linked to Anwar's claim in September that he had the numbers in Parliament to form a stable majority government and that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should step down.
