Umno Youth exco member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen has decried what he described as "selective" action after he was suspended for purportedly attempting to sabotage Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron.
In a statement today, Mohd Rafiq said he was suspended as an Umno member for six years or two terms, while his position as Umno Youth exco was also revoked.
"This heavy punishment was imposed on me simply for one reason - that I was supposedly found to have incited and planned to sabotage Umno president Najib Abdul Razak and Malacca Umno liaison chief Idris Haron through a programme called "Bicara Negarawan" in Malacca last year.
The event was to feature former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a discussion about Umno's future ahead of the 14th general election.
Mohd Rafiq was upset at his suspension as the event eventually did not materialise, and the initial invitation was made to Mahathir while he was still an Umno member.
Mohd Rafiq said he had extended the invitation as help to an Umno branch leader who was interested in organising a function featuring Mahathir, but later urged the organiser to cancel over concerns that they could not control what the former prime minister may say.
He said a year after that incident, Idris for some reason raised the issue again, which caused him to be referred to the Umno disciplinary committee.
"I am astonished as to how I can be accused of inciting and planning to sabotage the Umno president and Malacca Umno liaison chairperson, and be punished so severely for a programme that never happened, more so that it was cancelled on my effort," he said.
'Others have done worse'
Arguing the action against him was selective, Mohd Rafiq said other Umno leaders had done worse but faced no action.
"I do not think that my 'sin' is as big as an Umno state assemblyperson who initiated a motion of no confidence against a state's head of government.
"I am confident my 'sin' is not as big as the Umno leader who was allegedly involved in money politics.
"I am also confident that my 'sin' in this matter is not as big as the Umno MP who tried to involve and humiliate the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in certain issues," said Mohd Rafiq.
He appeared to be referring to Umno's Kijal state assemblyperson Ahmad Said who moved a no-confidence motion against Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman; Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos who dished out RM1,000 each to his delegates and the party's Langkawi MP Nawawi Ahmad who linked to Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to 1MDB.
"I am convinced that the organisers and I are innocent.
"I will be appealing to the Umno supreme council soon and I hope that the Umno supreme council members, particularly the president, can consider setting aside the accusation and punishment against me, so that I can struggle with Umno and BN and help us to face the 14th general election," he said.
Mohd Rafiq said he will also be taking legal action against Malacca Umno Youth chief Zali Mat Yasin, who had accused him of being in cahoots with the opposition.
