AHMAD Zahid Hamidi will decide on when to end his leave as Umno president, the former deputy prime minister said when he made his rounds in Semenyih today.

Though not on any Barisan Nasional campaigning roster for the by-election, Zahid said he was in the constituency to attend an event organised by civil group Akhirat Di Depan.

“I will decide later,” he said when asked how long would he be on leave.

Zahid took leave from his post as Umno president after he was charged with criminal breach of trust over cases involving his fund, Yayasan Akalbudi.

He has been slapped with 46 charges.

Zahid decided to go on leave last December and appointed his deputy Mohamad Hasan to perform the duties of party president.

He said decision was also made in a bid to stop lawmakers from leaving the party.

Before his resignation, Larut MP Hamzah Zainuddin left the party along with 5 others and said more would resign if Zahid does not step down.

Less than two months after taking his leave, Zahid then made his first appearance in public by attending a forum titled “Umno PAS cooperation: How far can it go?” In Bagan Datuk, Perak, where he is also an MP and the division chief.

On tonight’s event, Zahid said he did not come to Semenyih to help the Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery with the by-election campaign for the state seat.

“I came as an individual for an event organised by the civil group.

“Although I am on leave (as party president), I have never taken leave as an Umno member,” he added.

The convoy began at 6pm and stopped at two surau before it ended at a restaurant.

Zahid who was dressed in a baju melayu top and kain pelikat rode a motorcycle to all three destinations. – February 19, 2019.