Umno No.1 hands over duties to deputy

Sheridan Mahavera Sheridan Mahavera Updated 5 years ago · Published on 18 Dec 2018 10:22PM · 5 Comments

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) is stepping aside for his deputy Mohamad Hasan to run the party, which has seen dozens of its elected representatives leave or defect since May 9. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 18, 2018.

YIELDING to pressure from within the party, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today announced he has appointed his deputy Mohamad Hasan to perform the duties of party president.

Zahid said he was leaving it to Mohamad to run the party in a bid to stop more lawmakers from leaving.

“Due to the turmoil the party is now facing, I have made the decision to entrust the duties of the president to the deputy president.

“I hope all polemics about the leadership will cease and the leadership at grassroots level will focus on strengthening the party.

“I appeal for an end to the defections of members of parliament and assemblymen,” Zahid said tonight at a dialogue organised by the party’s information bureau at the Putra World Trade Centre.

Zahid, however, was adamant his stepping aside was not tantamount to a resignation but a “middle path to save the party”.

“If it is true that I am indeed the cause of all this (defections) my decision is to entrust Mohamad Hasan with the duties of president.”

On December 16, Larut MP Hamzah Zainuddin quit Umno along with five other MPs, warning of more resignations to come if Zahid remained as president.

Hamzah said 10 more MPs would join him if Zahid refused to heed calls from Umno grassroots members to step down.

Zahid has been under pressure to relinquish his post after the party lost 17 MPs since losing power in the general election.

Zahid, who is also parliamentary opposition leader, said he would in the interim “function as a president who is not performing the duties of a president”.

“This is something that is provided for in the Umno constitution,” Zahid told reporters later.

“When the president no longer has the ‘hidayah’ (divine guidance) the best way forward is for him is to put his trust in his deputy to perform his duties.”

Zahid said Mohamad would be allowed to perform the presidential duties as long as the latter felt he was able.

“Or until he feels that I can return to perform these duties and shoulder the responsibilities, depending on the political situation.”

Zahid became the acting Umno president three days after May 9 when Najib Razak stepped down. 

Zahid went on to run for and win the presidential post on June 30, defeating main rivals Khairy Jamaluddin and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Zahid, who is the Bagan Datuk MP, is facing 46 charges of criminal breach of trust, power abuse power and money laundering. – December 18, 2018.

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Comments

  • Same difference lah, in fact dumb is just making way for dumber. Exodus from UMNO will be even faster now.

    Posted 5 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • This full of shit person finally can hear something.

    Posted 5 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply

  • From one crook to another liar... Unno has no credible leaders.. no more integrity in the party leadership..
    The exodus will continue..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • What Clown plays these idiots morons scumbags dumshit leaders of umno are born Clowns playing among themselves n it shows how arrogant this Clowns are just playing well watch what will happen to the 3 million members such are not Clowns only those who wants to be Clowns soon start counting your Clowns support All U Clown leaders will die standing. Hahahahaha......

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • He is finally a true blue COMEDIAN. President without functioning as president...LOL LOL

    Posted 5 years ago by Ti Mix · Reply