'He's lost his way': Umno MPs urge Zahid to take leave

Two Umno parliamentarians have openly called for Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take leave pending the outcome of his 46 criminal charges.

Speaking with Malaysiakini, Arau MP Shahidan Kassim and Jempol MP Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif urged Zahid to temporarily vacate the Umno presidency amidst the exodus of Umno lawmakers and leaders over the week.

Salim estimated that 70 percent of Umno parliamentarians shared the same view and said that they had begun conveying the message for Zahid to take leave in the last three weeks.

"The way I see Zahid, he has lost his way, maybe because (he was slapped with) the 45 charges, he cannot focus on making decisions," said Salim, who is also Jempol Umno division chief.

On Oct 19, the Umno president claimed trial to 10 charges of criminal breach of trust, eight charges of receiving gratification and 27 charges of money laundering.

He was slapped with an additional charge for criminal breach of trust involving welfare foundation Yayasan Akal Budi's funds today. 

Salim (photo) believed that Zahid’s lack of direction was potentially to blame for Sabah MPs and state assemblypersons quitting the party on Dec 12, as well as future potential departures from peninsular colleagues.

A total of 11 MPs have quit Umno since the 14th general election, leaving the biggest opposition party with 43 representatives in Parliament.

Those who had left the party included Tanah Merah MP Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz and former Umno secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Aman, both of whom quit today.

"We suggested that Zahid take a rest for the survival of BN and the party. After he settles his own matters, he can come back.

"This is the prudent view (taken by us) as we do not want to offend his dignity. We discussed what is the best for the party," he said.

However, Zahid has yet to respond towards these requests, according to Salim.

Fearing instability

While Salim said he understood Zahid might need time to consider the requests, he hoped the former deputy prime minister would respond by the end of December.

"If he declines (to take a rest), I don't know will happen, but surely there are those who will be worried and agigated, they fear (that the party) will not be stable," he said.

"Then, maybe other MPs and division chiefs will express their wishes for the sake of the party," he added.

Meanwhile, Shahidan (photo) said Zahid needed to take leave due to the exodus from the party.

According to him, several Umno MPs may announce their decision to quit the party later today.

Shahidan said he would not be able to do anything if Zahid decline to take leave, as he is merely an MP and division head.

"The only thing I can do is to write on Facebook," he said, referring to his earlier posturging Zahid to quit as president. - Mkini