Quitters must have other reasons, says Saarani

IPOH: Perak Umno does not believe Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the sole reason why a group of elected representatives quit the party.

“I am sure they have their own reasons and only used the president as the scapegoat.

“Efforts to weaken Umno are not just internal, there are also external elements. Outsiders who caused members to defect,” said state party chief Datuk Saarani Mohamad.

He was commenting on Ahmad Zahid’s announcement to step aside and hand over his duties to deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

As for the Umno MPs who quit, Saarani said party members, voters and supporters were “deeply wounded” by their action.

“If they want to join again, they need to follow the normal procedure, fill up forms and get approval from the respective division chiefs.

“If the division chiefs don’t want them, that’s it then,” he told a press conference here yesterday.