AHMAD Zahid Hamidi must decide for himself when he wants to return from leave and lead Umno again, said Najib Razak, as speculation mounts over the former’s active participation in party activities.

The party’s former president said Zahid had taken leave from his party position of his own accord.

“Going by the party constitution, Zahid has the right to lead Umno as he was given the mandate. The mandate is still there,” Najib, who is also Pekan MP, said at a Hari Raya gathering in Klang tonight.

Najib said, therefore, Zahid could resume his duties whenever he wanted to.

“He does not need the permission of the Umno Supreme Council. I leave this decision to him and he should (base his decision) on the interest of the party,” said Najib.

He said Zahid should also get feedback from the grassroots to help him a feel for the party’s current mood.

“Their feedback should help him make the right decision.” 

Zahid had, over the past week, opened Umno division meetings in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, and Masjid Tanah, Malacca.

His decision to open the division meetings has tongues wagging in the party of his intention to stage a comeback.

Zahid had taken leave in December last year after he was slapped with 47 charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption, and had handed over his duties to deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

This past week, however, he was further slapped with 40 charges of corruption for pocketing some RM42.7 million over the awarding of a contract to Ultra Kinrara Sdn Bhd to handle a foreign visa system. – June 29, 2019.