PETALING JAYA: Former Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has quit the party because she is disappointed with Umno's failure to elect fresh faces for the party leadership.
Mas in a statement said that she had hoped that Umno will be steered in a "new direction" in the party elections.
"I hoped to see Umno members choose at least 70% of fresh faces as leaders, but that did not happen," she said.
"What sort of election is this, if the virus is left to spread and the medicine is too bitter to swallow," said Mas on Sunday.
"Let me be honest, Umno has derailed and is rejected by the Malays themselves," she added.
Mas said that after some "serious thought", she has decided to leave the party and become an independent Parliamentarian.
She said she will continue as Masjid Tanah MP and to debate and fight for the welfare and development of her constituency.
"I will play a role in criticising and advising the Government, providing check and balance on policies introduced by Pakatan Harapan without being bound by the ethics of any political party," said Mas.
"Based on my background as a lawyer, I hope to do my best for all Malaysians to ensure that the executive body is monitored by an effective Parliament," she added.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was announced as Umno's new president on Saturday night (June 30).
Former Negeri Sembilan mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was elected Umno deputy president, while former ministers Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid were elected vice-presidents.
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