UMNO grassroots should discuss and come up with a resolution if they want their president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to go on leave due to the court case against him, said Nazri Aziz.

The Barisan Nasional secretary-general also said it would be up to Zahid to decide whether to stay or leave the party.

“He was elected by the delegates but if UMNO members want it they should just have a movement at the grassroots to call for a resolution to ask him to go,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Zahid claimed trial last month to 45 counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money-laundering involving RM114.15 million.

Last Saturday, the Umno Supreme Council rejected a proposal for Zahid to go on leave as they felt the president stepping aside would only weaken the party. 

Zahid had previously revealed that three Umno leaders in Johor had supported the call for him to go on leave until his trial is resolved.

The leaders were backing a proposal by Umno Youth who had urged their president to go on leave following criminal charges against him.

The wing’s chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the proposal did not mean they wanted Zahid to step down as president but felt that the latter should step back from his duties.  

“We urge him to consider taking a break from the president’s duties until his case is settled in court.

“It is not fair to burden the president, who is facing allegations, at a time when Umno needs to move swiftly in the new political landscape,”said Asyraf. – November 15, 2018.