Press Statement
by Chow Kon Yeow

(Penang, Tuesday): The Backbenchers Club organized a meeting to allow Umno MPs and Senators to show its undivided support for Abdullah’s leadership, following a scathing attack by Dr Mahathir on his successor.

It is sometime difficult to comprehend where Umno MPs actually stand on issues affecting the country.

The present batch of Umno MPs have so far proven to be erratic and inconsistent in their expressed stands.

So many of them expressed support for the scenic bridge and called on the government to simply ignore Singapore’s demand and just build the bridge.

But when Abdullah scrapped the project, they made an abrupt turn and obediently toed the lines.

Umno MPs were very vocal in objecting Abdullah’s initiative on the IPCMC. Clearly at that time, certain Umno MPs were questioning Abdullah’s wisdom in endorsing the IPCMC.

Umno MPs were very quiet when the police made treacherous remarks and threats in their website against the government for proposing the IPCMC. Although the police was undermining the moral and legitimate authority of the Prime Minister, Umno MPs did not see fit to give their undivided support to Abdullah.

And now, Umno MPs are throwing their support to Abdullah in the face of Dr Mahathir’s criticisms. For them, it is the man that matters, not the issue.

But the scenario might have changed if Dr Mahathir were to attack Abdullah for the latter’s endorsement of the IPCMC. If he did, Umno MPs would be put in a quandary.

Would they then support Abdullah, the man or Dr Mahathir on the IPCMC, the issue?