THERE is no internal conflict in Umno, said party Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as talks arise that certain quarters in Umno are trying to get Ahmad Zahid Hamidi back in action.

Asyraf said Zahid is still Umno president, so there is no issue having him back to lead the party.

It is also up to Zahid himself whether he would like to come back or not, he said.

“Zahid is still the president. He only went on leave, handing over his duties to his deputy Mohamad Hasan.

“The question of bringing Zahid back or not does not arise. The decision to come back or not is entirely his,” the Umno Youth chief told reporters today in Kepala Batas after distributing bubur lambuk to motorists.

Asyraf also said the youth wing never discussed the matter even though it had previously suggested that Zahid take leave.

“Even at that time, we merely asked him to consider it. We didn’t pressure him,” he said.

Umno sources had told The Malaysian Insight about efforts to coax Zahid to lead the party again to end politicking among its ranks. Zahid had gone on leave six months ago, and Mohamad has been working as acting Umno president since.

Zahid’s decision followed his 45 charges of criminal breach of trust, power abuse and money laundering involving RM114.15 million, and the resignations of 17 Umno MPs who quit to join Pakatan Harapan.

Earlier this month, Zahid told The Malaysian Insight that he never used to term “leave” but merely left Mohamad to run the party in his absence.

However, during his absence, there are talks of Umno leaders being pitted against each other ahead of the 2021 party elections.

One list dubbed “Team Tok Mat” has Mohamad nominated as president, with Johor Umno leader Mohamed Khaled Nordin as deputy, and Asyraf, Johari Abdul Ghani and Abdul Rahman Dahlan as vice-presidents.

Asyraf, who has been travelling nationwide for the Youth wing’s Ramadan programmes, said he had not heard of internal conflict at the grassroot level over the issue.

“I have been to many states and there is no such issue at the grassroot level.

“All this is just a game by a few. It doesn’t represent (the view of) the whole party,” he said.

He also dismissed the remarks by Tebrau Umno division chief Maulizan Bujang, who said “it is not good for Umno” to have Zahid back at the helm.

Maulizan said among the reasons that had pressured Zahid to go on leave was the lack of direction in Umno under his leadership as president, which led to resignations by some MPs and division leaders.

“That is his personal opinion, which does not represent everyone (in Umno),” Asyraf said.

He stressed that Umno’s focus now should be on PH and the mess under its administration.

“The people face so many problems… the cost of living, small-time farmers in Felda losing their income, graduates under pressure due to U-turn of policies.

“Umno’s focus now is on strengthening the party and fighting for the people,” he said.

Umno Supreme Council member and Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican also said Umno and its leaders are busy focusing on their jobs, like Mohamad, who has done well as acting president.

“We have gone through a lot in the past five months, like the by-elections, working well with PAS and our fellow component party members.

“I think focusing on this is more important now for Umno. The people want to see Umno, PAS and the rest of the opposition provide check and balance to prevent more problems under the PH administration,” he said. – May 20, 2019.