Zahid doesn't have timeline for comeback but 'ready to serve'

Umno de facto president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is currently on leave, today said he has no timeline set for resuming his official duties.

Addressing BN loyal supporters at a townhall session organised by NGO Sedar, Zahid said his decision to return to active politics will not be made based on calls from the party grassroots.

"If I end my leave with a goal to strengthen the party, then I will end it.

"If with me remaining on leave, the party will remain strong, then I will continue my leave," said Zahid, in responds to questions from the floor, including from a supporter who directly asked when he would once again assume the president's duties now carried out by his deputy Mohamad Hasan.

"I have no timeline. Most importantly its not about pressure from the grassroots, but if I'm truly needed, then my services will be available everywhere," he said.

Zahid had in December last year announced that he would go on leave in a move aimed aimed at saving the party amid an exodus of its elected representatives.

To a question on what could be done to unite all Umno division leaders, Zahid insisted he had done his best to do so, just like Mohamad and former president Najib Abdul Razak, who was also at the event.

Responding to more questions, Najib similarly cautioned Umno members against forming internal factions which could further weaken the party.

"I'm dissatisfied with the solidarity in Umno. It may look good but unity and solidarity in Umno must be strengthened.

"There must be only one Umno," he stressed.

The Pekan MP also claimed that his message for unity within Umno had prevented more "frogs" from leaving the party and that some of those who had left already regretted their decisions as they failed to regain voters support.

"This is a lesson for these frogs who already hopped. Now there are many who started to 'wink' (signal) to us...If they leave Umno, Umno supporters will not forgive them.

"If we are loyal to Umno, then we have hope. Do not have camps. Put Umno's interests above all else," he stressed.

More than just Umno, Najib said BN should also take action to ensure that there are no clashes with PAS in the 15th general election and better its chances to reclaim power.

He admitted that a three-cornered fight would not be good for BN and hopes that the newly arranged cooperation between Umno and PAS could work in a new political format.

"A three-cornered fight would be detrimental to BN, that is the reality...We have to make a new political formula - I don't want to discuss it openly.. It doesn't do us good.

"There must be a new format for BN to win comfortably the election," he added.

More than 30 people took part in the question-and-answer session for the Politik Malaysia Baru panel, which also featured MIC deputy president M Saravanan and MCA president Wee Ka Siong. - Mkini