Analysts rubbish claim Umno leaders increasingly dissatisfied with Zahid

 

Two former Umno members claimed the party leadership is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

PETALING JAYA: Analysts have dismissed claims that top Umno leaders are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi following the Federal Court’s dismissal of Najib Razak’s corruption case review.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said about 80% of Umno’s current leadership lineup comprised “Zahid’s men”.

“Zahid is in control. And a majority of his rivals such as Khairy Jamaluddin, Annuar Musa and Shahril Hamdan have been removed. This means the internal bickering has been reduced,” he told FMT.

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Khairy and Annuar were sacked from the party in February, while Shahril was suspended for six years.

On Monday, Khairy and Shahril alleged that there was growing dissatisfaction against Zahid within Umno.

The dissatisfaction, according to the two former Umno leaders, stemmed from the Federal Court’s decision to dismiss Najib’s bid to review his conviction and sentence in the SRC International corruption case.

Azmi, however, felt that the outcome of Najib’s attempt to have his case reviewed would have a minimal effect on Zahid.

He said Zahid’s move to appoint several Umno leaders, such as Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad and secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) chairman and Mara chairman, respectively, would help cushion the impact of the outcome of Najib’s court case.

Such appointments showed that Zahid was looking out for Umno’s interest and that he could still take care of the party even if his hands were tied when it came to Najib, he said.

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Meanwhile, Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir said the apex court’s decision to dismiss Najib’s bid to review the SRC conviction would have no impact on the party.

Claiming otherwise would be an “exaggeration”, Jeniri said.

He said it was only natural for the likes of Khairy and Shahril to think so as they had been sacked and suspended.

“They cannot really claim to know exactly the overall sentiment in the party.”

He also said Umno was definitely united for the upcoming state elections as it had to prove its worth to the current government led by Anwar Ibrahim. - FMT