Third wave of resignations if Zahid stays on, says Umno defector

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

PETALING JAYA: Umno will be hit by a third wave of defections, the six former Umno MPs who left their party have reportedly warned.

This is unless Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) steps down immediately for his failure to lead the party as it faces a trust deficit, they reportedly said. 

“We believe that Zahid has failed to set the party’s direction, and as things stand, he should step down.

“This also has to do with the court case that Zahid is facing, which has caused members and the people especially Malays to lose faith in his ability to lead Umno to face the next general election,” Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said on behalf of the group, according to Malaysiakini.

The portal reported that his comments were published in Berita Harian on Friday (Dec 14).

Hamzah was quoted as saying that about 10 Umno MPs are prepared to leave the party in the next 10 days if Zahid remains as party president.

According to him, these MPs have yet to make a decision as they are still weighing their options regarding their political future, including whether to join other political parties such as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

For now, said Hamzah, their only desire is for Zahid to step down and make way for an Umno special assembly to elect a new leadership line-up.

Others in the group of six who left the party on Friday are Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Datuk Mohamad Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam), Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Mersing) and Tasik Gelugor MP Datuk Shahbudin Yahya.

This departure occurred after over a dozen Sabah Umno MPs and state assemblymen quit the party on Wednesday, positioning themselves as “government-friendly” independents.

Apart from those who left Umno on Friday, several Umno MPs in the party have also called for Zahid’s resignation.

Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin supported a call for fresh party elections.

However, Zahid has dismissed the calls for his exit, terming it “all an excuse” by the defectors.