'Amendment is not to save me' - Umno president

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that today's amendment to the party's constitution was not intended to save his own position.

He said it was very unfortunate if there are party leaders who believe such allegations, but they should know this is the result of leaders heeding the call of the party's grassroots.

"I have heard voices saying that this amendment is to save Zahid's position as president. I would like to emphasise - it is not true.

“It is superficial if any of us, including the party’s top leadership ranks, have such a narrow-minded view.

"Let's not forget, the call for the party polls to be held after the general election is a motion from the majority of divisions that have held their respective delegates meetings," he said when addressing the Umno extraordinary general assembly (EGM) in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Umno is holding an EGM to amend the party's constitution to enable the party's election to be held within six months after the general election.

The EGM was held in line with the decision of the Umno general assembly last year, which agreed to postpone the party election after the general election to avoid internal divisions.

Zahid said the amendment was a manifestation of the grassroots voice to see the party getting stronger to face the election.

"I am confident that my brothers and sisters want to see our party strong and united. Whatever comes, the ark must be saved. Even if one's own self is killed, the ark must not be allowed to sink," he said, in an apparent reference to Noah's ark.

"I would like to emphasise that this constitutional amendment will provide space for the central, divisional and branch leadership teams, for each election term, to focus on the work ahead of the general election," he added. - Mkini