New Straits Times

ZAHID: WE WILL NEVER DISSOLVE UMNO

Dr M’s suggestion shows he has forgotten his roots, says party head

- IBRAHIM ISA cnews@nstp.com.my

UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday brushed off Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call to dissolve the party, insisting that the party will not be dissolved.

“Our stance is clear. We (Umno members) will not jump to another party and we will not dissolve Umno, no matter how many times he (Dr Mahathir) asks us to do so. Umno is a registered party.

“Despite being a political party for Malays, it is also a social institutio­n that does not neglect other races.

“With that, it is unbelievab­le that someone who achieved greatness when in Umno to a stage of being known the world over can say such a thing. This is like someone who has forgotten his roots,” he said after a meeting with state Umno leaders here yesterday.

It was reported on Friday that Dr Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, had admitted asking Zahid to dissolve Umno.

Dr Mahathir, a former Umno president, said this was because he believed the party no longer represente­d its original principles and struggles.

Zahid, meanwhile, assured Umno members that it had not stopped pursuing its reform plans.

“As I said before, there are mistakes that need to be fixed and the pro c ess will star t (so on). Don’t burn down our ‘house’ (Umno), which we have stayed in for so long.

“If the roof leaks, we will fix it. If the wall cracks, we will replace it with a new one, and if the floor is damaged, we will make a new one. All this is to ensure that our ‘house’ will continue to stay upright in all its magnificen­ce. After all, the pillars, all 48 of them, are strong,” he said.

Zahid said he believed Umno would be revived and regain the people’s support.

“In the Umno Supreme Council meeting last night (Friday), the issue of whether I should take leave did arise, but the council has decided that I should not disrupt the continuity.

“Despite attempts (by political parties) to woo our members, many are still with us.”

 ?? PIC BY MOHD AZREN JAMALUDIN ?? Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (fourth from left) with state Umno leaders in Johor Baru yesterday.
PIC BY MOHD AZREN JAMALUDIN Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (fourth from left) with state Umno leaders in Johor Baru yesterday.

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