Bersatu: Zahid’s departure won’t make a difference

PUTRAJAYA: Umno has become so irrelevant that it would not bother

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) if the whole Umno leadership took leave or quit, says Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya.

He said Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi taking leave would not help Umno as the party and its coalition Barisan Nasional had been ditched by voters in the last general election.

“In the old days, Umno leaders fought against issues that threatened the nation, such as corruption.

“Umno used to be a party that was feared and respected by both friend and foe, and there were many leaders who contributed to the party.

“Now all that is left supporting Umno is MIC. Even MCA is not with them,” said Marzuki.

He said that as much as a strong opposition was needed in a democracy, Bersatu wants everyone including Umno MPs to join Bersatu.

Marzuki stated that there was a stringent vetting process before accepting anyone into Bersatu, so that it would not turn out to be another Umno.

He said this at a press conference after a meeting with senior editors of the media here yesterday.

Meanwhile, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang said that even with Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan taking over the Umno president’s duties, scandals such as 1MDB, Tabung Haji, Felda and other controversies would “continue to hound and haunt” Umno leaders and members unless there was a “clean and conclusive break” from them.