Syed Hamid quits Umno
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar announced yesterday that he is leaving the party.
In a statement, Syed said he could no longer stay with Umno, pretending that everything that had been going on with the party was well and good.
“Never did I think that there would come a day I would abandon Umno — the party that I was born into, the party that was selfless and instrumental in paving the way for the nation’s independence.
“But seeing what it is today, the troubles it intentionally courted and the shenanigans its leaders are involved in, I can no longer stay and pretend that all is well and good,” he said, adding that he intended to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
“Some may have seen or heard of my open support for Paka-tan Harapan in the run-up to the recent (general election).
“To those who have not heard (about it), or are unaware of my position and support, I would like to state clearly and for the record that I am officially no longer a member of Umno,” he said.
Syed Hamid lamented that Umno’s leadership had failed to maintain the party’s formerly remarkable image and reputation, due to rampant abuse of power and corruption.
He also claimed that Umno leaders had grown elitist and too far removed and detached from the grassroots to understand the needs of the rakyat.
“As much as it pains me to admit, it is clear that the ideology and philosophy that Umno was built on have been twisted to become intolerant, self-centred and even undemocratic.
“Worse — these same leaders have practised and condoned a (system of self-denial) that has gone on for far too long, foregoing transparency and the rule of law in favour of their own excesses.”