Zahid steps aside

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has caved in to mounting pressure for him to step aside as Umno president just three days after refusing to budge. In a late night announcement, Ahmad Zahid, who assumed the post as Umno president on June 30, made a turnaround and decided to hand over his duties to his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, saying this is in the best interest of the party.

PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki

(pic) says with Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi taking leave of his duties, the focus can now be on reinventing Umno.

“It is time for Umno to move forward and focus on the agenda to reinvent and rejuvenate the party.

“I am optimistic that the deputy president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) will be able to consolidate things,” Asyraf said when contacted last night.

Asyraf, who was the first Umno leader to ask Ahmad Zahid to take leave as he faced multiple court charges, thanked the latter for listening to the wishes of the grassroots.

Earlier yesterday, Ahmad Zahid revealed that Umno had filed a lawsuit against the MPs who defected from the party.

“They need to know that they did not win on their own accord.

“They represented Umno under the banner of the Barisan Nasional.

“They won on the backs of hardworking Umno members and machinery and they should be thankful for their victories, not hopping parties for their personal interests,” Ahmad Zahid was quoted as saying by a portal.

He also revealed that the Umno headquarters had on Dec 14 filed a writ of summons to demand compensation from the exiting MPs.

He said the MPs would not only be sued based on the Election Offences Act 1954 “but through all legal means”, adding that the legal suit would demand a “large sum” from the defectors.

“What they owe to Umno and its machinery must be repaid,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid also said Umno had split into five factions after it lost power for the first time in its history.

He said the first faction comprised party members who wanted to maintain the status quo and not be an ally of any other party.

“The second group wants to join forces with a party in Pakatan Harapan.

“The third wants to work with another Pakatan party that has co-operated with DAP,” he said.

It is believed that Ahmad Zahid was referring to Bersatu and PKR respectively.

The fourth faction, he added, wanted Umno to join forces with PAS in the opposition bloc.

“The fifth group wants to form a new grouping altogether, not only in the opposition but as a (grand) coalition,” Ahmad Zahid said.