Perak Umno Youth criticises efforts to push out Zahid as president

 

Perak Umno Youth has criticised a movement by grassroots leaders to agitate rebellion against party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Perak Umno Youth chief Mohd Ariff Abdul Majid (above) said such actions will also impact the party.

"Umno members and leaders must think of the impact of their personal statements on the party's image and the institution of the presidency," he said in a statement.

Pontian Umno Youth chief Helmi Buang and Seremban Umno Youth chief Zool Amali Hussin were among the earliest leaders to speak out against Zahid on Jan 15.

The latest to join them is Paya Besar Umno chief Ahmad Tajuddin Sulaiman, who also said he wants Zahid out.

"The directionless actions of Umno's supreme council and its MPs are eroding Malay confidence in Umno which is critical for the 15th general election.

"The absence of a clear direction and lack of decisiveness is affecting the motivation of 3.6 million Umno members," Ahmad Tajuddin was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

'Focus should be on fight against Covid-19'

Umno is at present split between leaders who are siding with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is the Bersatu president, and those who are opposed to him.

Mohd Ariff said the current focus should be on the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said they should not complicate matters under the current situation.

"Differences of opinions should be properly and wisely resolved through discussions.

"Internal party affairs should not be aired to the public. What is important is to strengthen our sacred party," Mohd Ariff said.

Zahid, who is the Bagan Datuk MP, has his political base in Perak.

He is facing 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan, who is also facing two counts of money laundering, had complained about Muhyiddin's government's refusal to drop ongoing court cases against Umno leaders. - Mkini