KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Zabidi has joined the line of Umno leaders leaving the party, having tendered his resignation as Bukit Bintang Umno deputy chief on Nov 7, after being a member for 35 years.
The former party treasurer posted an emotional farewell message in his Umno WhatsApp group on Thursday night.
He told the New Straits Times he had lost confidence in the party’s top leadership.
He said he handed his resignation letter to Bukit Bintang Umno chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Mohd Rafique on Wednesday.
“It was not an easy decision. I have weighed and analysed the situation since the Umno polls and have come to the conclusion that I have no confidence in the party’s top leadership, who, until today, are selfish and put their needs beyond our beloved party,” he said in the WhatsApp message.
Azim yesterday said members should “just wait and see” as the situation was “very fluid”.
“I decided to leave when Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi won the Umno presidency.
“The fact that he does not want to leave while facing 45 charges says plenty, but the straw that broke the camel’s back is the members’ continuous support for him.
“I agree with (Datuk Dr) Asyraf (Wajdi Dusuki), but look at what he had to go through,” he said, referring to the brickbats hurled at the party’s Youth chief when he suggested that Zahid take leave of office.
Azim said he expected others in the division and elsewhere to leave the party.
He said other leaders could say what they liked about those leaving the party, but if “they (the leaders) had sat down and analysed the situation with a rational mind — which most of them do not have — then they will realise the truth”.
“After all, freedom of association is enshrined in our constitution, so I don’t see what the fuss is all about.
“To call us cowards is a low blow. What is it that we are afraid of to make us cowards?
“Personally, my objective of helping Malays and Muslims has not changed. Only the vehicle is different now as I do not feel Umno can contribute towards this anymore.
“They talk about staying on to fight, but what are they fighting for?”
He, however, said he had yet to decide on his next move.
He said Umno leaders talked about saving the party and continuing its struggle and sacrifices, but as soon as they had a chance to make deals with other political parties, they jumped on it.
“Is this what ‘fighting on’ is all about? Or is it about saving the leaders?” he asked.
Sources close to the top Umno leadership said many in the top circle had asked Zahid to take leave until the court case was over, but he was adamant about staying on.
One of the party’s vice-presidents told NST that the party was divided and “if Zahid is removed from the equation, it would only create a bigger gap and possibly lead to the destruction of Umno”.
“Zahid is holding us together, his supporters would be in an uproar if their leader is sent packing,” he said, adding that the Bagan Datuk member of parliament’s grassroots support was strong enough to maintain the party’s peace and unity.
An Umno member of parliament said the leaders were aware that Zahid was not adhering to the party’s constitution and was manipulating the rules and regulations for his own gain.
According to the party’s constitution, any party leader who is facing court charges needs to step down temporarily until he or she is clear of all charges.
“Zahid said he did not have to take a break like former vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib and former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Harun Idris because Umno is no longer in the government.
“He said we are an opposition party and we do not have to follow the rules anymore,” the MP said, adding that many members were unimpressed with the explanation.
NST
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