Zahid Hamidi: Stay loyal to Umno even if leadership changes

PUTRAJAYA: Umno members must remain loyal to the party even if there is a change in leadership says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno vice-president said the party had survived many crises throughout its 69 years of existence, which was normal thing for any "dynamic" party like Umno.

"After Umno was formed in 1946, the party had its first leadership crisis in 1951 when party founder Datuk Onn Jaafar proposed to open membership to non-Malays. The crisis ended with him leaving the party and Tunku Abdul Rahman became the new president.

"Over the years, they were more leadership crises, including when former Umno members formed PAS in 1951 and many years later, Semangat 46.

"The struggles faced by Umno is a norm in any party or organisation.

"Leaders come and go, but the loyalty of Umno members remain strong, because of its sense of solidarity," said Dr Ahmad Zahid in his speech when opening the Putrajaya Umno division meeting here.