Following the very public mutiny of Kedah UMNO’s senior leadership against Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, a rebel group within the ruling Malay party has stepped to decry the “caste system” it says is being practiced in UMNO.
The group, which calls itself the Coalition of UMNO Branch Chiefs (GKCM), said that UMNO secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor’s decision not to subject Kedah UMNO leaders to disciplinary action for speaking out against Mukhriz was proof that the opinions of the party’s grassroots were being ignored.
GKCM notes that the lack of disciplinary action is in stark contrast to UMNO’s decision to punish nine branch chiefs last year after they called on UMNO president Najib Razak to resign his post as Prime Minister.
“It appears that there is a caste system in Umno now where members are categorised according to their position and importance,” the group said in a statement quoted by The Malaysian Insider.
“Umno is treating its members differently, with some regarded with disdain in the eyes of its leaders.”
The group also called out Tengku Adnan, who serves as Federal Territories Minister in Najib’s administration, for allegedly overstepping his authority within UMNO.
“His statement was so shallow and he looked stupid sounding like he was above the constitution,” the group said.
The GKCM accused UMNO’s recent policy decisions of being influenced by members (and a president) who were dishonest.
“Umno is almost sunk because her captain is a dishonest person who also has no clear direction.”
