Zahid dismisses calls to go on leave

KUALA TERENGGANU: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stressed that he will continue to lead the party despite calls for him to go on leave.

Ahmad Zahid who now faces 45 charges of corruption and breach of trust said his position can only be decided at the Umno general assembly, not through calls which do not abide by the party’s constitution.

“I have decided to continue carrying out the duties of Umno president together with the deputy president, vice-presidents, secretary-general and heads of the wings,” he said in a press conference held after a special meeting with the top leadership of Terengganu Umno yesterday.

“I hope our political direction can be interpreted into unity for us, and the mandate given to us should be until the end of our term,” he said.

On Thursday, Umno Youth head Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was reported to have urged Ahmad Zahid to consider going on leave until his court case is settled.

Ahmad Zahid was elected as Umno president from 2018 to 2021 at the party elections in June this year. - Bernama