Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad blamed today \u201cweak\u201d leaders in Umno\u2019s top tier who trampled on the feelings of their subordinates for triggering the two-day political crisis in Terengganu.<\/p>\n
The crisis in Terengganu could have been averted if those at the top had taken more care in handling state leaders, the former prime minister added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we had acted harshly, it would not be a problem for him to leave Umno,\u201d the 88-year-old was quoted by state news agency Bernama as saying after receiving an honorary doctorate in political development from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Dr Mahathir was speaking of Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, the former Terengganu mentri besar who quit Umno scant hours after being forced out of office on Monday, and who had dragged two other state lawmakers with him, plunging the state into a crisis of confidence.<\/p>\n
The trio who went rogue retracted their resignation letters today and have returned to the Umno fold after Ahmad and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak exchanged apologies over a \u201cmisunderstanding\u201d over the wedding of the Terengganu lawmaker\u2019s daughter.<\/p>\n
Dr Mahathir observed that Umno leaders in Terengganu were unlike those in other states such as Johor \u2014 where the Malay party was founded and remained its stronghold \u2014 where they were accustomed to switching their political allegiances as a demonstration of their unhappiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Terengganu, crossing over to another party is normal and they like to try\u2026 It\u2019s their way, so we have to be careful as they can easily switch. It\u2019s their character,\u201d Dr Mahathir was quoted saying.<\/p>\n
He added that leaders at the national and state level had both made mistakes, and urged both sides to learn from them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will lose if Umno does not learn and repeat those mistakes,\u201d he was quoted saying.<\/p>\n
The former Umno president reminded his party that unless those sitting at the top bucked up and stopped riding roughshod over those below them, a similar problem may arise in future and cause them to lose power entirely.<\/p>\n
\u201cUmno is weak now,\u201d he was quoted saying.<\/p>\n
He said that party members at the grassroots level were dissatisfied that their leaders at both state and national levels were often distracted by opposition leaders and paid more attention to issues raised by other races than problems plaguing their community.<\/p>\n
As such, party members were becoming increasingly disenchanted with their party and would rebel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey support (Umno) not because of the leadership but because they dislike the opposition.\u201d-The Malay Mail<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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