‘No deal with Pas on Terengganu, Kedah’

KUALA TERENGGANU: Umno leaders have denied the allegation by former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir that an agreement was made to hand over Terengganu and Kedah to Pas in the next general election.

Terengganu Umno Liaison Committee chairman Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman dismissed it as Mukhriz’s “political imagination that has run wild”.

“Not only is the ill-intended speculation baseless, but it is also aimed at creating restlessness and chaos in the party. Umno members are mature enough and will not fall prey to such statements.

“This wild speculation will not impede unity in the party, as evident in the unanimous stand of the Umno Supreme Council in sacking Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz.”

Razif, who is also Terengganu menteri besar, said he believed Umno would not only continue to lead the state government after the 14th General Election, but also win with a bigger majority.

He said this was because of the hard work carried out by the party’s grassroots members after the 13th General Election.

He urged Mukhriz and other dissenting parties to refrain from using Terengganu in their political games.

In Kuala Nerang, Kedah, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said Mukhriz should think carefully before making allegations against Umno.

“He can say whatever he wants, but there should be some consideration.”

The Supreme Council expelled Mukhriz and former deputy president Muhyiddin on Friday for committing disciplinary offences, including being involved in the Mahathir-Kit Siang declaration.

On Sunday, Mukhriz said he suspected that Umno had struck a deal with Pas, in which Kedah and Terengganu would be left to the Islamic party in the 14th General Election.

Mahdzir was speaking yesterday at SMK Dato’ Syed Ahmad here, where he launched MyFon, a smart public-phone service for students’ benefit.

He said 128 schools nationwide, mostly those with hostels, had been provided with the service since its introduction last year.

“The service helps students keep in touch with their families. This is especially true for those at boarding schools in rural areas. The service is available in prepaid form, where students use a card (to make calls).

“The ministry will look into the quality of the service and packages offered before we decide whether to expand it to all schools.”