‘Umno Youth acting like cannibals’

> Call for Zahid to take leave direct opposite to loyalty seen in PKR, DAP: Nazri

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno stalwart Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz ( pix) has questioned the loyalty of some of the party’s members, following calls for its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take leave.

Nazri, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general, said he found it peculiar that Umno’s Youth wing has been insistent that Ahmad Zahid step down, after he was charged with corruption, describing their behaviour as being akin to “cannibals”.

The Padang Rengas MP said those in PKR and DAP did not behave in such a manner when their leaders were similarly charged in court.

“Lim Guan Eng, when he was the Penang chief minister and DAP secretary-general, although he was charged and on trial, none of their members called for him to go on leave.

“Similarly, with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he was imprisoned, while he was still the PKR de facto leader. This is the kind of loyalty in DAP and PKR, regardless of what happens to their leaders, they remain loyal.

“So I don’t understand why Umno Youth, when the president is charged, why are they so quick to react. It’s like cannibalism,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had called for Ahmad Zahid to take leave pending his court case so as not to tarnish Umno’s image.

Nazri said there was no need for Ahmad Zahid to step down as he did not hold any government positions, adding that any decision on his position should be made through a motion by the party’s grassroots.

“He was elected by the members. So, it is only right that the party get the views of the grassroots, maybe start a motion.” On the status of BN, Nazri said he would propose the coalition do away with its current name and come up with a new one, with an acronym similar to GBS (Gabungan Bersatu Sabah) and GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak).

“We can come up with our own version, maybe Gabungan Parti Semenanjung, and we will have a somewhat similar branding. Because both GBS and GPS are also BN friendly. So, I think it’s a good idea.”