BEYOND STUPIDITY IS POLITICAL SUICIDE: ALREADY BLEEDING MPs, YET ZAHID CAMP MULLS ‘CRACKDOWN’ AGAINST THOSE IN UMNO CALLING FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN

A group of NGOs have come out in support of besieged Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, urging him to crack down on those trying to oust him.

“We urge the Umno president to take disciplinary action or sack Umno members who threaten the Umno leadership which is elected by Umno members.

“We hope that the Umno president will not entertain the words of leaders who have quit Umno,” said Pertubuhan Sahabat Ulul Amri Malaysia president Syed Muhammad Imran Syed Abdul Aziz, whose statement was endorsed by 29 other NGOs.

Among the NGOs include DSN (Datuk Seri Najib) Supporters Malaysia, Persekutuan Melayu Bugis SeMalaysia and Gabungan NGO Gerakan Merah Malaysia.

Syed Muhammad had previously called for the reinstatement of Najib Abdul Razak as Umno president. Najib stepped down after leading the party to its first defeat since independence in the 14th general election.

In the statement today, Syed Muhammad said the allegations that Zahid was directionless in his leadership and was unable to deal with Umno’s finances were mere “perception”.

He said among Zahid’s “best” was the cooperation with PAS. He added that claims that Zahid was trying to cut a deal with DAP were untrue.

“The NGOs fully support Zahid as Umno president. This is because the allegations against the current Umno leaders are mere perception and is only taken seriously by a small group in Umno who are in the opposition.

“Zahid must be courageous in making his decision and should not heed BN or Umno MPs who want to quit as they are not real Umno fighters,” he said.

Another 10 MPs, including former minister Hamzah Zainuddin, had quit Umno since Thursday. Umno was the largest party with 54 MPs despite losing power in the 14th general election.

It is now left with 38 MPs and is relegated to becoming the third largest party behind PKR and DAP.

Hamzah had warned that more MPs will quit Umno if Zahid did not step down.

Following the exodus, Umno leaders who are still sticking with the party have also called for Zahid’s departure.

– M’kini

Resign? Only the Umno general assembly can oust me, says defiant Zahid

A defiant Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the only way to remove him as Umno president is through the party’s general assembly.

This was Zahid’s response in the face of resignation calls as Umno sees an exodus of MPs who accuse him of failing to provide direction.

“Last time they demanded that I go on leave, now they are demanding that I resign.

“Okay… the only way is to sack me through the Umno general assembly. It must be attended by two-thirds of the delegates who attended the previous general assembly,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Zahid added that it would be up to the Umno headquarters to organise such an assembly.

“But it will require two-thirds of delegates. Do you know how many that is? 146,000 delegates,” he said.

Another 10 MPs, including former minister Hamzah Zainuddin, had quit Umno since Thursday. Umno was the largest party with 54 MPs despite losing power in the 14th general election.

It is now left with 38 MPs and is relegated to becoming the third largest party behind PKR and DAP.

Hamzah had warned that more MPs will quit Umno if Zahid did not step down. However, Zahid brushed off the claim.

“He is out of Umno, isn’t he? When he is no longer in Umno, he cannot speak on behalf of Umno,” said Zahid.

-M’kini