Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin's call on Umno not to remain silent has raised eyebrows, even though he did not mention names.
Silence, Khaled said, was not an option when Umno deviates from its struggle to defend certain people in the name of "loyalty".
"Umno cannot stay silent when the party no longer prioritises the Malay struggle but is used to defend certain groups in the name of loyalty and party discipline.
"The time has come for Umno to move forward, to be more proactive and dominant," Khaled said in a Facebook posting today.
He added that Umno also cannot stay silent when corruption becomes a culture and trust is betrayed.
The post was an excerpt from his speech when officiating the Pasir Gudang Wanita Umno annual general meeting last Sunday.
UMNO tidak lagi boleh hanya jadi pemerhati, bila bangsa masih bergelumang dengan kemiskinan dan jurang keberadaan. UMNO...
Posted by DATUK SERI HJ. MOHAMED KHALED NORDIN on Monday, 3 August 2015
His remarks came shortly after his son's open criticism of the RM2.6 billion deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.
Akmal Saufi Khaled had questioned whether there was proof that the RM2.6 billion was indeed a "donation" and not from 1MDB.
Akmal Saufi also raised several questions about the money, including the source of the fund and whether Umno was made aware of it.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday confirmed the deposit after months of silence from Najib but said the amount was "donation" and not from 1MDB.
The MACC did not specify where the money came from.
Najib last Tuesday dismissed his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, who hails from Johor, for his criticism of 1MDB.
Since the cabinet reshuffle, signs of turmoil have emerged in the southern state.
'Malaysian dream'
Meanwhile, Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong said Umno should stand against the RM2.6 billion 'donation' if it was an honest party.
Liew ( photo ), in a statement today, also offered Johor Umno DAP's hand in combating corruption.
"In this matter, Johor DAP is prepared to work with any quarter, including Johor Umno, towards realising the Malaysian dream.
“This is a Malaysia that is free of corruption and with good socio-economic management, a competent and trustworthy administration and a healthy democracy," he said.
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