Mat Hasan: Zahid's return will kill gossip pitting Umno leaders

Mohamad Hasan, who had been acting as Umno president while Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was on leave, said the Bagan Datuk MP's decision to resume his duties as the party's top leader will help to end gossip that seeks to split the Umno leadership.

"It's good that he has decided to return as there has been a lot of gossips and that is not good.

"Alhamdulillah that he wants to resume his duties. It will kill made-up gossips aimed at pitting our leaders," he told a press conference after officiating the Sepang Umno divisional meeting today.

Earlier today, Zahid announced that he was resuming duties as the Umno president after going on garden leave for six months.

Zahid went on leave in December last year amid pressure for him to step aside after opponents criticised him for allegedly failing to provide direction to the party.

His opponents from within Umno had criticised him for what they claimed was a lack of direction.

Zahid (photo) also presided over an exodus of lawmakers from the party, with threats of further defection if he did not step aside.

Throughout his time as acting Umno president, Mohamad had struck a diplomatic stance on Zahid but his supporters had been critical.

Last month, Tebrau Umno Maulizan Bujang said criticised talks about Zahid returning as the Umno president. 

"It is true some supporters have not returned to Umno as there are still those who think that Umno has not truly changed due to support for leaders who face various abuse of power and corruption charges.

"But with Zahid's teasing, which does not benefit the party, it is hard to create a perception that Umno has truly changed," he said. Zahid is currently facing 87 graft charges.

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, just hours before Zahid announced his return, had pointed out that Mohamad's brief tenure as acting president saw the party winning three by-elections, namely in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and Rantau.

A proposal to expel Umno members convicted of corruption and have exhausted all appeals had also created unhappiness, particularly among supporters of Zahid and former Umno president Najib Abdul Razak who is facing 42 graft-related charges.

Mohamad later said the move was aimed to improve the party and not an attempt to oust any leader.

However, he said the amendment was not necessary as the Registrar of Societies (ROS) already bars convicts from being office-bearers.  - Mkini