Umno’s Batu division has cut ties with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the federal territories, alleging unfair treatment over the allocation of residents’ representative council subzones.
Batu Umno chief Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim said the decision was made unanimously by the division’s political bureau after PH “failed to honour” its promise to allocate one of six residents’ representative council (MPP) subzones in Batu to Umno.
Typically, the party that is allocated a subzone is given the right to appoint members of the MPP for that subzone.
The MPP, comprising local community members, is responsible for implementing social and human capital programmes in the federal territories, while also helping to identify residents’ needs and encourage their participation in development.
“Instead of allocating one subzone to Umno, three were given to the Batu MP while the other three were handed to the new PKR division chief to decide on council member appointments.”
“They breached the agreement and took away our rights. How difficult is it to allocate us just one?” Gulam Muszaffar asked.
Batu MP P Prabakaran lost to Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi in a straight fight for the PKR Batu division polls earlier this year.
Gulam Muszaffar told FMT that Umno was allocated a federal territories MPP subzone only in Lembah Pantai.
He also claimed that the Batu MP had never channelled funds to Umno for constituency work.
“We have been using our own funds in Batu. Cooperation should be genuine since we’re going into the next general election together, but they act as if we don’t exist,” he said.
Gulam Muszaffar also hit out at federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, accusing her of cancelling a scheduled meeting with Umno division chiefs last week without explanation.
He added that since taking office, Zaliha had never engaged him to discuss policies or strategies in the federal territories.
“Don’t pretend you want cooperation. If Batu Umno has no value, then don’t bother working with us. We’re not desperate,” he added, noting that the 16th general election was expected to take place late next year.
Separately, Gulam Muszaffar announced his resignation from the board of trustees of Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, which is chaired by Zaliha.
“My resignation is in line with the division’s decision to cut ties with PH in Batu and the federal territories,” he said.
In response, Zaliha said she respects Gulam Muszaffar’s decision to resign from the board, and has contacted federal territories Umno liaison committee chairman Johari Abdul Ghani to discuss a new Umno representative in the board.
She also denied cancelling the scheduled meeting with Umno chiefs, saying it had been postponed due to “unavoidable commitments” and that her office is arranging a new date with the federal territories Umno liaison office.
“The cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Umno in the Madani government remains strong. The most important agenda is ensuring public development and welfare in the federal territories continues to be implemented smoothly,” she told FMT.
