Remember your place, don’t try to be number one, Zahid tells Umno members

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says party members should not attempt to usurp their superiors. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 28, 2015.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has warned party members to be mindful of their positions and not attempt to usurp their superiors, The Star Online reported.

The deputy prime minister told the Hulu Terengganu Umno division today that members should respect their bosses, whether they were in the branch, division or government.

He then pointed to himself as an example, saying that he should respect "number one", Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"My opinion is, if you are a number two, it's better to remain as number two. Don't try to be number one," he was quoted as saying.

He then quipped that this would ensure the "number two safe", according to The Star.

Zahid, who was made deputy prime minister in a July 28 Cabinet reshuffle, added that those who were second in command should not be too ambitious and attempt to replace the person at the top. He urged them to wait for their time to come.

He also said that differences in opinion, while normal, must be aired behind closed doors and resolved in a proper manner.

His statement comes two days after he made a veiled dig at Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, whom he replaced as deputy prime minister.

Zahid said on Thursday that even if a leader had served for "40 years", they must remember they had a responsibility to the party and their divisions.

Although he mentioned no names, his warning came hours after Muhyiddin issued a statement reminding critics that he had served the party for over 40 years.

Muhyiddin had told his detractors not to label him a traitor or urge for him to step down, and cited his long years spent building the party up.

The former deputy prime minister was sacked from his cabinet post last month after being critical of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's leadership and handling of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). Muhyiddin was succeeded by Zahid.

- TMI