Kelantan Umno information chief Alwi Che Ahmad has dubbed Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed's resignation from the party as a "normal matter".
This, according to him, is because Umno is a political party and not a religion.
"If he wants to go out, let him go. Umno is not a religion. (Joining and leaving) the party is normal, not only in Malaysia, but across the world.
"In fact, not only leaders come and go, even governments do change.
"It is not an issue at all," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
Alwi, who is the also Kok Lanas assemblyperson, said that since Umno was formed, it had "lost" three presidents, but the party remained.
"Umno has lost its presidents. Tok Pa (Mustapa) is not the president. (Ex) president Tunku Abdul Rahman left Umno to join Semangat 46, as did Hussein Onn.
"Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also quit Umno, came back in, and then back out again. That makes three 'missing' presidents.
"Want to quit Umno, go on, Umno will still be here," he remarked.
Alwi was responding to Kelantan Umno veteran Norzula Mat Diah's remark that Mustapa's exit from Umno will spell the death knell for the party in the state.
Norzula, in a statement, said that Umno risks losing whatever is left in support if it refuses to take drastic actions to regain the rakyat's trust.
"Everyone knows that Tok Pa has contributed much to Umno, but now he has deserted the party.
"With his leaving, Umno's journey in the state has become harder, and the prospects, dimmer.
"Umno may get buried by the veteran leader's resignation," he had said.
Norzula, however, hoped that Umno will rise again, and pinned the hope on Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, to take drastic steps towards realising the goal.
"Annuar is a hardworking leader and I believe he is one leader who can rehabilitate Kelantan Umno.
"He is also a vocal critic of Pakatan Harapan - a front-liner in the opposition. He should strengthen the state Umno with state liaison chairperson Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub. If both of them are not around, the state Umno will become worse," Norzula told Malaysiakini.
Resign from MP position
Meanwhile, Alwi challenged Mustapa (photo) to also let go of his position as the Jeli MP, if he "still had dignity left".
Otherwise, the salary taken by Mustapa will be considered "haram", he added.
"Those who want to leave, can leave. Just, to me, if he (Mustapa) has any dignity, he has to resign as MP as well as Air Lanas assemblyperson.
"Because he did not pay the (election) deposit, it was Umno that paid. Also, the RM200,000 spent (for the election) was Umno's money.
"He would not be receiving a salary if he was not chosen on Umno's name, so the money is 'haram'.
"If he is really pious, he should resign, because he receives RM15,000 a month in allowance and feeds his wife and children with it," said Alwi.
Mustapa, who has been holding the Jeli seat for the past few parliamentary terms, won it again in the 14th general election with a 6,647 vote majority.
He also garnered the highest number of votes in the Umno supreme council election.
Mustapa announced his resignation from Umno yesterday, after 40 years of being a party member.
Less than 24 hours of his announcement, Kimanis MP and former foreign minister Anifah Aman followed suit. - Mkini
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