Jeering work of outsiders, says Ahmad Maslan

Umno deputy minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan had a hostile reception at the Pontian divisional meeting last Sunday, where he was booed by delegates. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 19, 2015.

Umno deputy minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan has shrugged off the jeering by delegates from his own Pontian division during its general meeting last Sunday, saying that it was started by outsiders.

Writing in his blog, the deputy international trade and industry minister said he still had support, adding that his private secretary and special officer received the second and third highest number of votes among 15 candidates to attend Umno's general assembly later this year.

"If the Pontian delegates do not like me, then logically, two of my aides will also be rejected by them.”

He said the booing was started by two people whom he claimed were not from Pontian nor Umno delegates.

Last Sunday, the Pontian MP, who has often courted ridicule for his comments on the goods and services tax (GST) and his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was treated to a volley of jeers each time his name was mentioned in the meeting.

The hostile reception forced Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was officiating the meeting, to pause during his speech and remind delegates not to insult their own representative.

"Don't boo him, he is your deputy division chief," said Muhyiddin, after delegates jeered when he congratulated Ahmad for surviving the Cabinet reshuffle.

Pontian Umno division chief Datuk Hasni Mohammad also openly took a dig at Ahmad during today's meeting.

"Umno is not a yes-man party," said Hasni, earning cheers from the delegates.

Throughout the meeting, Ahmad appeared uneasy, his facial expression changing each time the delegates booed him.

He skipped the tea session with Muhyiddin later in the evening, and left as soon as the meeting ended.

The treatment he received contrasted starkly with the warm welcome delegates gave to Muhyiddin.

In giving his version of the event today, Ahmad said Muhyiddin had congratulated him over his new appointment when the latter was giving his speech, and between the cheers, there were also boos.

"How did I feel? I was on the stage and I did not show any reaction although I was aware of what was happening.

"Before this, when the emcee was announcing the names on the protocol list, no one booed me when my name was announced and the claps for me were the same as for any of the guests," he said.

He also denied that he was booed numerous times and that he had left the event early.

"Once the opening ceremony was over, I was at the same table with TSMY and then I send him to his car. I waited until the meeting was over, and gave the winding-up speech," he said, referring to Muhyiddin by his initials.

Ahmad said his morale had not been affected by the incident.

"I accept the booing episode as a challenge in my struggle. It is an important political education in my work and service to religion, race and country," he said.

- TMI