Zahid bows to pressure
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last night announced that his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will be assuming the duties of the president in the wake of the crisis that has befallen the party.
The move is also to prevent more party members from quitting the party.
However, Zahid insisted that he has not quit as party president.
Pursuant to this, he said that he hoped all polemics on the leadership of the party will cease and asked leaders at the grassroots level to focus on efforts to strengthen Umno.
“In the wake of the crisis faced by the party, I am taking the decision to place the trust in the deputy president to assume the duties of the president,” he said in a statement here.
He also called for no more crossovers by Umno MPs and assemblymen after this (his handing over powers to the Number Two).
He added that the grassroots were hoping for Umno leaders to close ranks in the spirit of the party’s new slogan “Umno Bangkit” (Umno Rises Again).
A number of Umno elected representatives from Sabah and the peninsula have ditched the party of late and have openly voiced their support for the Pakatan Harapan government.
There are only 37 Umno MPs left now, down from the 54 after the May 9 general election.
At a press conference later, Zahid denied that he was under pressure by anyone to hand over his duties.
“If it’s true that I am the main reason (behind Umno members leaving), then I believe the best decision is to entrust the duties of the party president to my deputy Datuk Mohamad Hassan.
“This is in line with Umno’s constitution whereby if the president doesn’t receive (guidance from Allah), the best step he should take is to entrust the deputy president to conduct the duties of a president,” he said.
Zahid also said Mohamad will have full powers and authority as president for a certain period of time, backed by the party’s three vice-presidents, the three wing chiefs, and the Supreme Council.
However, he did not specify the time frame that Mohamad, also fondly known as Tok Mat, will lead the party in his absence.
Zahid has repeatedly said he will not entertain any calls for him to leave his post, and had just earlier yesterday insisted he will serve out his term as president until 2021.
The former deputy prime minister is facing 45 charges ranging from offences under the Penal Code, to the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.