The Malaysian Insight

AHMAD Zahid Hamidi was made a scapegoat by the 17 Umno lawmakers who left Barisan Nasional, grassroots leaders and political analysts said.

Each had his or her own agenda for leaving, they told The Malaysian Insight, adding that despite Zahid stepping aside, the exodus will continue.

Umno has lost 17 lawmakers since the 14th general election and many members blamed Zahid for this, accusing him of not giving proper direction or guidance to the party.

Zahid said he was stepping aside on Tuesday night, leaving his deputy, Mohamad Hasan, to take over the duties of president. He also said he was stepping aside in the hope of stemming the defections.

But Umno grassroots members and political analysts said those who left and about to leave have their own reasons, and Zahid is not one of them.

An Umno member from Putrajaya, Rahmah Hitam said she did not believe that Zahid was the sole reason members quit the party.

“I do not believe that they left because Zahid was the Umno president, they must have personal reasons,” Rahmah told The Malaysian Insight.

“I believe there will be more leaving after this.”

Rahmah also expressed disappointment over the departure of the 17 lawmakers.

“We at the grassroots level do not turn our backs on the party. I am really disappointed with those who left.

“We did our best to find members and voters but they did this to us.”

A member from the Pokok Sena division, Ramli Chik said those who left have their own priorities. 

“Firstly, Maybe Tun (Dr Mahathri Mohamad) asked for support because the ruling coalition (Pakatan Harapan) does not have much Malay support.

“Secondly, maybe they saw a better future on the other side,” said the 56-year-old.

Ramli, however, said those who left would have nowhere else to go if PH rejects their membership application. 

“Zahid was just an excuse. After Zahid passed his duties to Tok Mat (Mohamad), there will be those who will leave because they have their own priorities,” he said. 

Umno Supreme Council member Dira Abu Zahar hoped for an end to the exodus, adding that they should give the new leadership a chance.  

“We have to continue the same struggle,” said Dira.

With the defections, Umno now has 37 seats in Parliament, after winning 54 in GE14.

Political analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Mohamad will not be able to solve the Malay party’s present problems, adding that Umno cannot be saved just by changes in the leadership.

“This is because there are Umno MPs and assemblymen who do not have the willpower and easily give up,” Awang Azman said.

Another reason members left is because they are worried about being investigated or the pressure they face under PH if they remain in Umno, he said. 

Another political analyst Associate Professor Dr Jeniri Amir said Umno is now a “sinking ship”.

He said Mohamad will not be able to repair the party’s image as there are external factors behind the departure of party members. 

Those who left may have been attracted by other parties, mainly PKR and Bersatu, he said.

“(Zahid) was just an excuse to justify the exodus. Why did they not repair the ship if they can repair it at all? 

“Don’t try to find excuses by pointing fingers at Zahid. They should rectify whatever that is wrong,” Jeniri said. – December 20, 2018.