NGO head: 'Cruel' Umno leader forced Najib to quit as president

Najib Abdul Razak did not intend to relinquish his position as Umno president after the May 9 general election, according to Persatuan Sahabat Ulul Amri (PSUAM) president Syed Muhammad Imran Syed Abdul Aziz.

However, he claimed that a “cruel” (zalim) Umno leader forced Najib to step down.

Syed Muhammad, who did not name this leader, claimed that the “warmth” showed in photographs depicting Najib and the person who forced him out was nothing more than an act.

Calling for Najib to be reinstalled as president, the NGO head also suggested the names of other leaders for different posts.

Interestingly, current Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's name was not on the list.

For the number two post, Syed Muhammad suggested veteran Umno lawmaker Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

He named former ministers Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin for the two vice-president positions.

“The reason for this change is because we do not see Umno having any direction now. What is more concerning is Umno leaders are now jumping to other parties.

“According to Article 8.5 of the Umno constitution, only the Umno president (Zahid) can call for a special general assembly,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Jeli MP and former Umno supreme council member Mustapa Mohamed has joined Bersatu whereas Labuan MP Rozman Isli is now with Parti Warisan Sabah.

Four others - Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Faisal, Kimanis MP Anifah Aman and Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali - have remained as independent lawmakers.

Previously, it was reported that about 40 Umno lawmakers could switch parties. - Mkini