Don’t allow ‘hidden agenda’ to destroy Umno, says division chief

 

Umno division leaders say those who want Ahmad Zahaid Hamidi out can contest in the coming party elections. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno division leaders are hoping the party leadership will respect the decision made by delegates to cut ties with Perikatan Nasional and to respect Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s position as the party president.

Gombak division chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin said the delegates had made their voice heard “loud and clear” not to work with PN in the next general election.

“We will work with Muafakat Nasional (MN) but not PPBM in Gombak. That was the decision of the delegates,” he told FMT. MN is made up of PAS and Umno.

PPBM’s Mohamed Azmin Ali is the MP for Gombak.

Megat Zulkarnain said Azmin was free to contest the Gombak parliamentary seat in GE15 but his division would push for Umno to also field a candidate.

The Selangor Umno deputy chairman said delegates in the state had a good relationship with PAS and this would continue.

He claimed there was a “hidden agenda” behind the calls to remove Zahid as the president.

“My own observation shows there is a hidden agenda,” he said, claiming there was similar character assassination of former prime minister Najib Razak two years ahead of the last general election.

“The opposition killed his character and after two years, in 2018, he lost,” he said, adding that the same means were being used this time around to remove Zahid from his position.

“There is someone arranging this to weaken Umno,” Megat Zulkarnain added.

Umno Sik division chief Tajuddin Abdullah said he did not understand the calls for Zahid to resign as the top seat would be open for contest during the Umno elections.

“Whoever wants to contest at that time, contest. It is not about Zahid but about the position which he won through majority votes,” he told FMT.

He urged those calling for Zahid’s resignation to be patient and not to weaken the party.

Tajuddin also said members of his division in Kedah did not want to work with PN in GE15.

“We feel PPBM cheated Umno. Despite being the majority, there is no equal share of power between PPBM and Umno. If they want to work with us there should be equal shared powers in running the country’s administration,” he said.

Another Umno division chief in Perak, who declined to be named, said they had had enough of the PN government and hoped Umno leaders would take action against those who were quietly working with PPBM.

“We are a family. Those who feel the other side is better should just leave us,” he said. - FMT