‘ZAHID MUST GO IF HALF OF MPs LEAVE
He may not make it to Christmas, says analyst
EMBATTLED Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has no excuse to continue holding on to his post if the party loses half of its members of parliament.
Although it is unlikely for Umno to vanish into thin air following an alleged pre-planned mass exodus of its leaders, observers reckoned that the small number of representatives left at the federal and state levels showed that the party had become weak and irrelevant.
Political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun said Zahid’s cut-off limit should be half of the seats won by Umno in the 14th General Election.
The party won 54 parliamentary seats on May 9. The number of seats since then has dropped to 37 after 17 MPs resigned from the party.
The exodus started with the departure of Bagan Serai MP Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali on June 24.
“Once the number of MPs reaches 27, he (Zahid) should resign. Umno is very close to that number.
“Within a few days, MPs have resigned in groups. Judging from this scenario, it is possible that Zahid will not make it to Christmas (will have to quit as party president),” he told the New Sunday Times.
The principal adviser for Pacific Research Centre Malaysia is also of the opinion that Zahid is in denial.
“If Zahid resigns, there could be hope for Umno MPs to turn around the party.”
Political analyst Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said despite the mass exodus of party leaders, Umno would likely survive as a party since it had a long tradition and presence in the country.
The public, he said, respected Umno for its contribution since independence.
“Support for the party will be there but it won’t enjoy what it used to before. The split between two factions was obvious; those with Zahid against those who want him to go.
“If this episode is prolonged, the party will deteriorate.”
The Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturer said Zahid should instead strengthen relations with MIC, MCA, and parties in Sabah and Sarawak.
“They need to cooperate with others because they cannot win elections with Malays alone.
“Umno has never been the opposition before, so it does not know how to behave as one. Because of this, a leader with a clear direction is vital.”
He added that he supported calls for Zahid to step down.