Zahid must step down for party's survival - Simpang Renggam Umno chief

 

Another Umno grassroots leader has called for the party's president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and the top leadership to relinquish their positions.

Simpang Renggam division chief Zakaria Dullah said this is so that the Malay-based party can remain relevant in the country's political landscape.

"The party leaders, including the president himself, should know when sacrifices need to be made especially in determining the future of the nation, religion and people," he said.

This is also the best way for Umno to clean up its "feudal warlords" image if it wants to change, he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian on Monday.

He said Umno's current leadership is seen as being a liability to the party and this would be a negative image for Umno in facing the next general election.

"(Zahid and Umno top leaders) taking a step back does not mean that we lose everything. Taking a step back, in fact, will help us gain more than staying on the frontlines," Zakaria said.

Umno failed to settle its infighting at its recently concluded annual general assembly which passed a motion to allow the party leadership to decide on when to sever ties with Bersatu.

Party adviser Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah also called on Umno cabinet ministers and others holding posts in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's administration to resign as soon as possible.

However, Umno member and former BN secretary-general Annuar Musa urged the party to reconsider and alleged that dissenting views were being suppressed.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Party leaders, including Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, have also called for the party to hold its elections before the next general election to settle the internal chaos.

Umno party elections are to be held every three years. The last time the party held elections was on June 30, 2018, when Zahid enjoyed a comfortable win against Khairy and Razaleigh.

While the next elections are due by July, Umno election committee chairperson Mohamad Hasan recently said that party polls would only be held if there is no general election this year.

Pontian Umno Youth chief Mohd Helmi Buang previously called for Zahid to step down if he himself insists that Umno ministers should resign from the cabinet.

This sentiment was supported by Selangor Umno advisor Muhammad Muhd Taib who said leaders who were charged in court should resign from the party. - Mkini