UMNO Youth members should remain loyal to president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi instead of throwing him under the bus, said Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The former tourism and culture minister said wing chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki is acting like a “cannibal” by asking Zahid to go on leave.

“I do not understand why Umno Youth, when the president is being charged in court, has been so fast to react, as though it is cannibalism,” he told reporters in Parliament today.

The Barisan Nasional secretary-general said Umno should emulate parties like DAP and PKR, which stood by their leaders in times of trouble.

“Be like DAP and PKR. When Lim Guan Eng was charged and there was a trial, (DAP) party members did not ask him to leave.

“The same goes with Anwar Ibrahim. He went to jail and he was still the de facto leader of PKR. Such is the loyalty of party members of the then opposition DAP and PKR.

“Whatever happens to their leaders, (members) remain loyal to them.”

Asyraf and Umno Youth have asked Zahid to go on leave until his trial has conclude.

Nazri added that BN should have a different name, as its current name is no longer in favour with Malaysians.

The Padang Rengas MP said Sabah and Sarawak folk, especially, have rejected the BN name.

“BN cannot be used any more. In Sabah, BN is not usable. The people have rejected it. They say it stands for ‘Barang Naik’ (increased prices of goods).

“The reality is, in Sabah, they do not use BN. This also is the case in Sarawak.

“We should change the name here as well, because in reality, BN is no more. No more in Sabah, no more in Sarawak. We need to face the facts.”

Nazri previously said BN should regroup its allies, and changing its name would be the right thing to do.

He also said there is no need to entice BN members to join Pakatan Harapan.

“I don’t think PH wants us. They are very strong. I don’t understand why there are attempts to steal our MPs.

“They are solid… They have more than 120 seats. This issue shouldn’t arise.” – October 31, 2018.