Umno at the mercy of others in govt, says Tok Mat

Umno's second in command Mohamad Hasan has questioned the party's influence in the government, saying in a recent interview that it would make no difference if it withdrew from the federal administration led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 

The Umno deputy president also urged members to come to their senses and refrain from acting as though the party was still in charge of the country. 

In the interview with Umno Online, he said this was especially the case given the party's dismal performance at last year's general election, where it won just 26 seats of the 30 bagged by Barisan Nasional (BN) in its worst electoral showing ever. 

"Right now, we're at the mercy of others in the government," he said. 

"If we exited tomorrow with all of our 30 seats, the government would not fall. 

"The government has 148 seats. It will not fall, so don't play around. No one is scared. So behave yourselves." 

Hasan's remarks came days after former Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob compared Umno's cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to a forced marriage. 

The former prime minister said cracks could already be seen between PH and BN in the wake of comments traded by Johor Umno leaders and several in DAP and PKR. 

Mohamad, the Rembau MP, said Umno members should not act as though they had won the election. 

Instead, he said, they should work on improving the party's image given its downward trend in support since the 2004 election. 

"Sometimes we forget and we act like we won. We don't change our ways and behave like those who have lost. 

"Don't talk about direction. When people are drowning, direction has nothing to do with it. 

"Umno's direction is to survive." 

Mohamad also said that it was God's will for BN to have become part of the government despite winning just 30 seats, whereas Perikatan Nasional which won 74 became the opposition. 

He urged Umno to use the opportunity to rebuild its strength by regaining the support of the people. 

"If you have been made a minister or deputy minister, do things well so that people can see the quality of Umno leaders is better than that of others. 

"It's better to be a check and balance from within than from outside."