Zahid: I will not step down as president
KUALA TERENGGANU: “I will not step down,” this was Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s response to calls made by Umno Youth for him to take leave and rest to focus on his ongoing court case. He is party president.
“It is not an option for me to give up. I have decided to continue being part of the Umno leadership with the deputy president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan), vice-presidents, secretarygeneral (Tan Sri Annuar Musa) and the wing leadership.
“I do not consider going on leave or retiring an option. I was given a mandate and I plan to take on this responsibility until the end of the election term because it was decided at the Umno General Assembly, and not because of calls or other things that do not follow party rules,” he said after meeting Umno leaders and grassroots members at the Kuala Terengganu Umno Building here yesterday.
Present was Mohamad, Annuar, vice-presidents Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, as well as Terengganu Umno members.
On Thursday, Umno Youth urged Zahid to consider taking leave and cease from performing his duties as president until the court case was over.
Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the decision was made so that Zahid would not be burdened by other matters facing the party.
Zahid said when he accepted the position as president of the opposition party, he was aware of the challenges.
“I have expected the challenges. I am aware of a ‘hostile’ force who will act in the form of mala fide and I have to pay a price for all my actions. I accept my fate, but when there has been a suggestion for me to go on leave, I do not think it is an option.”