The Malaysian Insight

SEVERAL Umno division youth chiefs are pushing for party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down as they complained about the party’s lack of leadership direction.

They called on Zahid to step down “respectfully” amidst criticism over his weak leadership and failure to understand the sentiments of the grassroots members over the last week.

Kuala Selangor Umno Youth information chief Aemirul Zaki said Zahid should go voluntarily instead of waiting for the results of party elections or the Umno general assembly.

“Zahid will not be ridiculed or lambasted by the party. Members (will instead) praise him and be happy to see him pave the way for people with little issues to lead the party,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said Zahid should just leave the responsibility to lead the party to his deputy Mohamad Hasan until the next party election which is supposed to be held this year.

“We can ask him to step down or go on leave. Zahid should give in to the calls for him to pave way for his deputy,” he said.

This is not the first time calls for Zahid to step down has emerged, as the former deputy prime minister was urged to relinquish the post in June 2018.

Zahid was pressured to resign after a group of Umno lawmakers quit the party to join Bersatu.

Two division youth chiefs were recently quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying that Zahid should go on leave immediately.

Pontian Umno Youth chief Mohd Helmi Buang urged all party leaders who have held high positions for many terms to step down.

“This move is important so that the new generation continues to love and respect this precious party.

“Stepping down does not equate to defeat. He (Zahid) can help the party from outside by ensuring that the new generation continues its fighting spirit,” he said.

Seremban Umno Youth Zool Amali Hussin said they are doing so out of the love for the party and meant no disrespect to Zahid.

“I just want to see some rejuvenation… there has been nothing done to make this party current,” he said.

These calls emerged after some Umno veterans said that the party election should not be postponed until the next general election, which was the usual practice when there was a clash in timeline.

Former Selangor menteri besar Mohamad Khir Toyo said the current Umno leadership is too weak and the internal conflict can only be resolved with a new leadership.

Selangor Umno advisor Muhammad Muhammad Taib has pushed for problematic leaders to step down immediately to make way for more qualified leaders to lead the party.

“Now, the big problem Umno is facing is that some leaders don’t want to give in to other more qualified leaders.”

“This is being inconsiderate. They lack of sympathy for the party and are cocky. The grassroots should know the difference between glass and gem,” Muhammad was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Zahid is currently facing 47 charges in court including criminal breach of trust, money laundering and graft.

He was also accused of supporting Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s bid to form a government with DAP’s cooperation to oust Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional government.

Former Barisan Nasional secretary-general Annuar Musa recently revealed that Zahid’s support letter for Anwar, which was presented to the  Yang di-Pertuan Agong and circulated in mid-October, was authentic.

Shah Alam Umno Youth exco Mohamad Anis Md Yusof said the sentiment for Zahid to resign was rife among Umno supporters as well.

“Zahid still has supporters in Umno… not all Umno members consider that the current president’s position is very weak,” he said.

He said Zahid could defend his position because division chiefs tend to influence the grassroots during elections.

“Most grassroots make their decision based on what keeps the division chief sustainable. They just vote for the candidate the division chief votes for. This has happened before,” he said.

Meanwhile, Umno Supreme Council Working Committee member Rizam Ismail said the debate on who is suitable to lead will only worsen the situation and destroy the party.

“This is not the time for us to be divided and fight among ourselves. As leaders,  we should lead by example to the grassroots.

“As mature leaders, we should urge members to strengthen our bond and stand united behind our leader who is the president,” he said.

Universiti Malaya economics faculty academic Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said he expected the calls for Zahid to give way to other leaders to gain momentum in the coming days.

“The current calls are coming from the youth chiefs and if more join in, the top leadership will have to take note and act,” he said.

He noted that the warlords around Zahid who are opposed to removing the Bagan Datoh MP will come around to supporting the new leader once change had been effected. – January 17, 2021.