Matter of Zahid taking leave did not come up at meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the calls for Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down as Umno president, the matter was not raised at the party’s monthly supreme council meeting yesterday.
“There was no discussion. There were opinions and we celebrated on those opinions. But, there wasn’t a single person from the supreme council or the youth wing who asked me to take leave,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid.
“However, the youth (wing) pointed out in its previous youth exco meeting, that it only gave a suggestion to be considered by the supreme council, especially the president himself,” he said at a press conference after the meeting.
The press conference was attended by Umno deputy president Datuk Mohamad Hassan, secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa, supreme council members Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
None of the party youth leaders were present.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said the meeting also discussed ways to strengthen the Umno presidential institution.
“On this issue, we must move forward to strengthen the party’s journey and we must celebrate all differences,” he said, adding that party members must all be united.
He stressed it was important for Umno to move forward as a strong political party and its lawmakers were the party’s strongest asset at this point in time.
“We must maintain unity and we are confident all lawmakers are still together.
“Any decisions must be made en bloc,” he said.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had earlier said it would be unfair for Dr Ahmad Zahid to be burdened with the many duties as party president while facing money-laundering and corruption charges in the current political climate.
This is the first time in history that a serving Umno president has been hauled to court.
On Oct 20, Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said any party leaders who had been implicated in any legal wrangles should give up their position or take leave.
He cited the examples of Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib and Datuk Seri Harun Idris, who resigned from their respective positions as vice-president and youth wing leader when they were embroiled in legal cases.
The Gua Musang MP, fondly known as “Ku Li”, pointed out that even though the party constitution is silent on such issues, its convention states that they should quit.
Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Zahid said Umno would lead any efforts with PAS and civil society organisations to protest against the government’s move to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
“I will be on the same stage with PAS president (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang) from Nov 17 for a series of the campaign kicking off in Pasir Salak,” he said.