SUNGAI BESAR, 22 Sept 2008: Umno Information Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib today slammed “opportunists” who leaked information on matters discussed in the party’s supreme council meeting.
He said as supreme council members, they should uphold the ethics when attending meetings whether at the supreme council or at state level.
“If we leak things that we discuss in closed-door meetings, it means that we are opportunists.
“There should not be opportunistic traits among party leaders,” he told reporters after handing over donation to 71 Sungai Panjang residents whose houses were destroyed in a storm yesterday.
Muhammad was commenting on a report by Berita Harian today which quoted Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz as saying that those who leaked information about matters being discusses by the supreme council were untrustworthy.
Meanwhile, Muhammad described as “arrogant” the claims by Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok that she was served food that was “almost like dog food” while serving detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
He said the remark should not have come out from a politician as it could touch on the sensitivities of others, especially the poor people.
“There are people who survived on plain rice and salt because they could not afford a better food,” he said.
Muhammad, who is Rural and Regional Development Minister, said those detained under the ISA would have been given similar treatment.
“If that has been the procedure, you cannot complain. Those detained under the ISA would receive similar treatment. No VIP treatment.
“You can ask the previous ISA detainees; including Umno leaders who were once detained under the ISA… ask them. I’m sure the procedure is the same,” he said. – Bernama
