‘Other Perak MPs still loyal to Umno’
IPOH: There will be no more Perak Umno MPs or assemblymen quitting the party, says state opposition leader Datuk Saarani Mohamad.
Saarani said Perak Umno was concerned over the latest development, but assured that Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin would be the last one to leave.
“This is political chess among Pakatan Harapan parties to gain as many chairs as possible in Parliament to stake a claim on the Prime Minister’s post,” Saarani told a press conference yesterday.
On Friday, Hamzah and five other Umno MPs in the peninsula left Umno to become independents.
This followed a mass exodus of Sabah Umno MPs, assemblymen and division chiefs from the party.
Despite the resignations, Saarani said Perak Umno would still support embattled leader Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“It is not fair to ask him to resign while his cases are still pending in court.
“Umno members should not point fingers, but should instead show their support for the party president,” said Saarani.
He said after news of Hamzah quitting, they went down to meet Umno members in Larut.
“They assured us that no one else is leaving the party,” Saarani added.
Other Umno representatives from the state who have left Umno include Bagan Serai MP Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali, Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Tualang Sekah assemblyman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi and Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin.