UMNO Youth’s call for party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to go on leave as he faces criminal charges is genuine, and not made at the behest of hidden hands, said some division heads and Supreme Council members.

Amid speculation that the statement by Youth chief Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was the work of quarters who want Zahid out, those interviewed by The Malaysian Insight said they believe his remarks showed the dilemma Umno is in, given its weakened position after losing the 14th general election and the criminal charges against its No. 1 leader.

Shah Alam division chief Azahari Shaari said he believes Asyraf – who yesterday said the call was not personal, but a consensus reached by Umno Youth excos in a meeting – was being sincere.

“Looking at the statement, it was definitely from the Youth wing, and its own stand. I don’t think it was on anyone’s instructions,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The wing has asked Zahid to consider going on leave from his presidential duties until his 45 criminal charges are settled.

Asyraf has stressed that it does not mean Zahid is guilty, but he should be given space to clear his name in court without the media focusing on his ties to Umno.

The Youth chief also emphasised that the wing is not seeking Zahid’s resignation.

The announcement triggered an immediate backlash. Several Youth division chiefs rejected the call, while Perak Youth chief Mohd Ariff Abdul Majid, who attended the excos’ meeting, said he was the lone voice supporting Zahid.

The fiercest criticism against Asyraf came from Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam, who said the former had behaved like “scum” by failing to stand up for the president.

Another Supreme Council member, Jalaluddin Alias, said those within the party can hold different views, but urged everyone not to be hasty in making their positions known.

Instead, he said, Umno members and leaders should focus on rebuilding the party.

“Everyone has their own view. But I hope the Umno leadership will not lash out with angry statements, as this can break up the party. We should focus on rebuilding and strengthening the grassroots.”

A Supreme Council member, who declined to be named, believes that Umno Youth was sincere in making the suggestion to Zahid, but wonders if the call had anything to do with the fact that Asyraf’s late father, Dusuki Ahmad, had worked as Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s political secretary.

“I think Umno Youth asking Zahid to go on leave was not the work of any hidden hand. But, we have to remember that Asyraf’s father was, at one time, Dr Mahathir’s political secretary.”

Dr Mahathir, who is prime minister for the second time, was once Umno president.

“This could be the result of some links to Dr Mahathir,” said the Supreme Council member.

Another party leader said though Umno Youth’s call may be genuine, it was made at a bad time, providing fodder for the Pakatan Harapan government.

Perak liaison chief Saarani Mohamad said the call only served to benefit Putrajaya, adding that he believes the charges against Zahid are political in nature.

“Zahid was charged because there are people who want to cripple Umno. If we ask the president to go on leave, we’re only playing into their hands.

“Whatever it is, Perak Umno members will continue supporting Zahid,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Zahid was last week charged with 45 counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering, involving RM114 million.

The offences relate to the alleged misappropriation of funds from a charity of which he is a trustee, and for allegedly receiving gratification when he was home minister.

Zahid became Umno president in the June party elections, where, for the first time since the 1980s, the top post was contested. He beat Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah and Khairy Jamaluddin. – October 27, 2018.