The Malaysian Insight

UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should seek a vote of confidence by delegates to address the mounting calls for his resignation, said party veteran Mohd Yussof Latiff.

Yussof, a respected Malay personality in Penang who is a life member of Umno, said the party constitution allows the president to take the step, adding that it is proper for Zahid to do so for the sake of Umno’s future.

“Article 8.5.1 states that a special general assembly can be called at the request of the president, at the request of half of all divisions nationwide, or with the written request of two-thirds of the Supreme Council.

“The special assembly can be called for Zahid to reaffirm his mandate. That is the noble thing to do. If he is the one who calls the special assembly, he will also appear to be the gentleman,” he told a press conference at his office at the Penang Malay Association (Pemenang).

Zahid is facing pressure to step down following an exodus of MPs and members from Umno. Some of the defectors have joined rival parties Bersatu and Parti Warisan Sabah, and talk is rife that those who are now independents will join the government in due time.

The Alor Star and Ampang Umno divisions’ Youth wing has called on Zahid to step down.

Prominent party members, such as Khairy Jamaluddin, have expressed the same, while vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin has said divisions can call for an extraordinary general meeting to decide Zahid’s fate.

Zahid has been slammed for his inability to reform Umno and lead it as an opposition party since its downfall in the May 9 general election.

He is also facing 46 counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering involving more than RM114 million in funds from a charitable trust he runs and in kickbacks for approving projects related to foreign worker recruitment when he was home minister.

Yesterday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed that he is being investigated over his alleged involvement in money politics in the party’s June general assembly, where he was elected as president.

Despite the troubles, Zahid is adamant about staying on.

Yussof, who is also Pemenang president, said Zahid cannot avoid negative opinions because of the cases against him.

“As a leader, you must be seen to be clean so that the people respect you,” he said, adding that Zahid should focus on clearing his name.

Yussof said he is worried Umno might face action by the Registrar of Societies now that Zahid is being investigated for money politics.

“RoS might order Umno to hold another general assembly, or declare the party illegal. This is another dilemma for Umno.

“Umno belongs to more than three million members, not the leaders. Leaders and members have to retire the ones who should be rested. Those involved in this deterioration of integrity must realise this.

“If he (Zahid) is not wanted, he needs to go.” – December 17, 2018.