Umno veterans to Zahid: Listen to the grassroots, take a break

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi must listen to the grassroots who want him to take a break from his post in order to facilitate the party's revival, according to party veterans.

One veteran, Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, said that controversial Umno leaders had ruined the party's image. 

Abdul Aziz, the president of the Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak), said it was tragic that Umno's top leaders had ignored the matter, which has in turn led to an exodusof members from the party.

"There was no thorough cleansing and I think it's too late. They should have a done a postmortem after the loss in the general election, learn and act from it.

"Umno must exercise introspection. If the leadership is not in line with the party's struggle (perjuangan), they must step back and be replaced with those who are not tarnished by (court) cases," he told Malaysiakini.

'Invisible hands'

Abdul Aziz said those who quit Umno had realised that their voices were weak as they were in a party with a trust deficit.

"Those who carry several (corruption) cases on their shoulders had dragged Umno into the trust deficit," he noted.

Certain quarters, the party veteran believes, had seized the opportunity (menangguk di air keruh) to coax Umno members to join Pakatan Harapan.

"There are invisible hands in Umno and Harapan behind the exodus. It seems like there's an effort to grab Umno MPs to join Harapan," he claimed.

Abdul Aziz added that Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself "cannot retain his position as the prime minister if his own party is not mighty."

He stressed that it would be timely for Umno to hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and bring in leaders with a clean image to helm the party.

'Don't attack him'

Another Umno veteran, Mat Yasir Ikhsan (photo), also agreed that Zahid should take a break, but added that Umno must tackle the issue properly and hold a two-way discussion with the Umno president before holding an EGM.

"The EGM is a must, but (should be held) after discussions with him. The grassroots want him to vacate his seat. But they should tell him in the proper way (berhemah). 

"I notice that now it is as if they have forced him into a corner.

"Human beings are like that. If you press him, he will fight harder. There's no need for that. Don't attack him," said the former Umno Sabak Bernam head.

Mat Yasir added that leaders such as Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin should tone down their criticism against Zahid on social media.

He also advised Zahid to seek advice from Umno veterans and obtain feedback from the grassroots.

"It's important to seek advice from the old-timers as they have vast experience and could provide far-sighted views.

"But he (Zahid) only keeps himself close to certain division heads. That is not seeking advice. That is seeking support," he said. - Mkini