Tok Mat dismisses talk that he should take over as Umno president

Mohamad Hasan stressed today that he will continue carrying out his duties as acting Umno president until Ahmad Zahid Hamidi decides to return to work.

Dismissing the notion that he should take over from the de facto president, Mohamad pointed out that the top two posts in Umno were decided by delegates at the party polls last year.

"The election (of the president and deputy president) was done by party members, not through discussions by netizens or through WhatsApp.

"So, the election was done and we have our president, our deputy president. Now the president is on leave for a while, and I am taking up the duty (as acting president).

"It is up to him when he feels like or wants to return and resume his duties as the president," he said when met at Umno building in Kuala Lumpur earlier today.

Mohamad was asked to comment on calls for him to take over from Zahid, who has been on leave from party duties since December.

Zahid made the decision to step aside in a bid to stop the haemorrhage of lawmakers from Umno.

He had also stated that he would only assume the position again if Mohamad no longer wanted the job or requested his return. - Mkini