Spell out where party is headed or make way, Zahid told
Umno needs to face reality. Datuk Md Jais Sarday
JOHOR BARU: A senior state Umno leader has called on Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to either provide clear leadership and direction for the party or make way for a new president.
State Umno treasurer Datuk Md Jais Sarday said since Dr Ahmad Zahid was elected on June 30, he had neither gone down to the ground nor gathered feedback or presented his plans for the party.
“Our party is slowly eroding with more leaders, including some veterans, getting disillusioned.
“Now there is a list circulating that at least 17 Umno MPs are expected to leave the party. We have already lost two,” he said of the recent resignations.
Former ministers Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Datuk Seri Anifah Aman’s decision to quit
Umno has caused ripples among party leaders.
Md Jais, who has been an Umno member for more than 30 years, said Dr Ahmad Zahid might be popular in Umno, but he needed the support of all Malaysians for the party to return to power.
He pointed out that after the May 9 polls, Barisan Nasional had 79 MPs, but now the coalition was left with just 49 MPs.
“This can be considered a referendum towards his leadership. So, maybe he should step aside for new blood,” he added.
Md Jais, who is Kluang Umno division chief, said if Dr Ahmad Zahid wanted to stay on, he should explain to the grassroots about the cooperation between PAS and Umno.
“Now there is also talk about a coalition with PKR,” he said, adding that all this was sending the wrong signals to the grassroots.
He said the partnership with PAS was not wise as Umno needed the support of all Malaysians and not just the Malays.
Md Jais hoped that the party’s leadership would allow the grassroots to air their grievances during the upcoming Umno general assembly, adding: “Umno needs to face reality.”
Asked whether he was also thinking of leaving Umno, he said: “So far, no plans yet as I still love my party.”