Many 'Red Shirts' supporters from Umno, Jamal admits

KUALA LUMPUR — Mr Jamal Md Yunos has conceded that many of those involved in his Red Shirts movement’s controversial antics are members of ruling party Umno.

The Sungai Besar Umno division chief however insisted that he was not representing his party, and had acted merely in his capacity as the leader of the Red Shirts movement that claims to be a coalition of many groups.

“I do not deny that many of my supporters are Umno members and I am the division chief,” Mr Jamal was quoted as saying by The Star daily in a report today (Oct 13).

“But these people are also members of NGOs and these organisations were founded by them. They are made up of businessmen, resident associations, motor clubs and other groups,” he added, referring to the Umno members involved.

“I do not represent myself as an Umno man when it comes to Red Shirts’ activities. I work as the president of the coalition,” he added.

Mr Jamal said Selangor Umno chief Mr Noh Omar and Umno supreme council member Mr Nazri Aziz have already said that his actions should not be associated with the Malay party.

“If I had represented Umno, the party supreme council would have discussed it. That never happened,” Mr Jamal added.

The Red Shirts and supporters of electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 have been involved in several clashes during the latter’s nationwide convoy, and both will be questioned over their clash at Sabak Bernam.

Deputy Home Minister Mr Nur Jazlan Mohamed had then instructed Mr Jamal to control the Red Shirts and to abide by the law after their alleged attacks.

Detractors of the Red Shirts have since accused the volatile group of being the proxy of Umno, pointing out to the involvement of Jamal and allegedly other high-ranking Umno members in their activities. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE