Anifah: Why has Umno taken so long to act?

Anifah: Why has Umno taken so long to act?

By Leslie Lau Consulting News Editor KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 Influential Sabah Umno MP Datuk Anifah Aman has expressed concern that Umno's senior leaders allowed Datuk Ahmad Ismail's racial remarks to fester for such a long time before even considering action. He also pointed out it was a worrying trend for the party's senior leaders when divisional leaders "no longer listen to the party president, " referring to the Bukit Bendera Umno division head's refusal to apologise or back down from his position. "This is previously unheard of. It is a sign of Umno members not listening to their president. That is very worrying, especially for the current Umno leadership," he told The Malaysian Insider.

However, he declined to go as far as to say that Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should retire earlier than as announced. Anifah's comments today come just hours before Umno's supreme council meets to discuss the course of action to be taken against Ahmad for his behavior. Umno is being pressured by its partners in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to take action against Ahmad, who has substantial support from many divisions in Umno for his actions as well. Ahmad made controversial remarks calling the Chinese in Malaysia squatters during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign. On Monday, he said the Chinese should not become like "the Jews in America," while his supporters tore up a photograph of acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. "Ahmad's comments were definitely uncalled for. There should have been prompt action but it was allowed to drag on. "It may be too late now. Statements have been made, people are taking sides and some people are backing Ahmad," he said. Anifah said it was clear the lesson to take home from the saga was that leaders must not overreact or champion only one race. "People must learn from Sabah where we do not champion one particular race, but for all Malaysians," he said. Malaysian Insider