KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Ministry has rejected claims that the Madani Government has sidelined Umno.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) political secretary, Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina, said the implementation of Madani Government policies and programmes in the Federal Territories involves the participation of various parties, including Umno.
“I feel compelled to respond to the public statement made by Batu Umno Division Chief, Datuk Gulam Muszaffar Shah Gulam Mustakim, who alleged that Umno has not been given space to play a role in the Federal Territories,” she said in a statement.
“They risk misleading the public and misrepresenting the inclusive efforts being pursued collectively under the Madani Government,” she added.
Her remarks follow a recent outburst by a local Umno leader.
Umno’s Batu division said it has severed ties with Pakatan Harapan, accusing the coalition of failing to honour a promised allocation for a local council subzone.
Its chief, Gulam, claimed that the decision was made after PH “failed to honour” its promise to allocate one of six subzones in Batu to Umno.
She also said that key Federal Territory agencies include Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives, with several Umno and BN leaders appointed to bodies such as the DBKL Advisory Board and the Kampong Bharu Development Corporation through internal Madani Government negotiations.
“These appointments were made on merit and through a transparent selection process,” she said.
Nor Azrina also said that special ministerial allocations are open to all, and NGOs led by Umno activists—including Batu Umno Division members—have benefited from community programme funding, provided their proposals meet the criteria and serve society.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
