THE recommendation for the party president to go on leave was not a personal call but the excos’, Umno Youth chief Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki said today.

He said the wing exco members had made the decision in consensus in a meeting yesterday.

“The decision is not mine alone. It is the decision of everyone.” Asyraf told The Malaysian Insight.

“And it’s a decision based on principle, not sentiment or hate. There shouldn’t be a problem.”

Asyraf yesterday called on Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take leave from his presidential duties pending the resolution of his 45 criminal charges, a call he said he was making on behalf of the Youth excos, who were “unanimous” in the decision.

He had stressed that this did not mean that the Youth wing thought Zahid was guilty or that it wanted him to resign.

Zahid today declined the proposal, saying giving up was not an option.

Asyraf declined to comment on the president’s reaction.

He confirmed that Zahid would attend the Umno Youth retreat in Janda Baik tomorrow.

Asyraf also declined to comment on the negative reactions to the proposal.

Several Youth division leaders have voiced their objections to proposal, saying that Zahid should not have to go on leave as he was innocent until proven guilty.

Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam, has also criticised Asyraf for failing to stand up for the president.

Perak Youth chief Mohd Ariff Abdul Majid, who said he was the lone Zahid supporter at yesterday’s exco meeting, has urged members in the state to show their displeasure by boycotting the retreat tomorrow.

In Terengganu today, Zahid today kicked off a nationwide tour to meet the Umno grassroots. The next stops are Kedah, Perlis, Penang and Negri Sembilan next weekend.

He said he would use these meetings to explain his position as president to party members.

Zahid’s position is still to be discussed by the president’s advisory council, Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said recently.

Zahid is accused of  criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering involving RM114 million.

The offences relate to misappropriation of funds from a charity of which he is a trustee and to receiving gratification in his former position as home minister.