PONTIAN: Former Johor mentri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (pic) says he feels he is being bullied by the party leadership despite all that he has achieved in the state.
Hasni, who refused to divulge his next course of action, said that as a person who wanted the party to be dominant in the state, he will not be just sitting around doing nothing after his removal as state Umno chairman.
He pointed out that the first time he got bullied was during the state election last year.
“At that time, I was the poster boy for Barisan Nasional and was to be appointed mentri besar if the coalition secured a big win.
“Now, after I supported the contest in Umno (for the post of president and deputy president), I am being seen as going against the wishes of the party.
“I beg to differ,” he said when met after attending a wedding reception in Benut here today.
Hasni, who attended the supreme council meeting on Friday, said he was not in the room when the sacking and suspension happened.
“Actually, many council members voiced their views, but the president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had already made up his mind and was not open to reasoning,” he said, adding that the drastic action would only further weaken the party.
Hasni, who has headed the state committee since 2018, said he took over the helm when Umno was in the Opposition.
“I hope our new chairman, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, will be able to call for a meeting soon to discuss the latest developments in the party,” he said, adding that he was still a supreme council member.
Hasni reminded his party leadership that whatever decisions made in Umno, they should not be giving an edge to other parties that are already wooing some of the leaders.
“I hope all those who were sacked or suspended will remain with the party and not rush to join other parties. I hope they can appeal their suspension.
“They can still contribute via other platforms,” he said, adding that members were already questioning the procedures for all the actions that were taken.
Meanwhile, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said Umno has a huge responsibility ahead to manage the party members and rakyat’s perception.
He said the purging of Umno leaders on Friday night came as a shock to many.
“I think many are shocked and saddened by the decision that came last night.
“It will be a huge responsibility for the leaders to manage the perception of the party members as well as the rakyat in general.
“In Johor, (the state government) will continue focusing on developing the state with a united Bangsa Johor spirit towards 2030,” he told the media when met at the Johor-level Chinese New Year celebration at the Yong Peng Che Ann Khor Moral Uplifting Society here yesterday.
Onn Hafiz declined to comment further on the issue.
