UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should not allow himself to be influenced by Najib Razak, and must put the party first, said Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

The Padang Rengas division chief reminded Zahid he was elected to look after the interests of the party and not individual members.
 
“I want to tell Zahid that as the elected president, he must work hard for the interests of the party,” he said in a speech at the Padang Rengas delegates meeting this morning.

“The party is venturing into a pact with PAS, so let’s go with that.

“But don’t continue to be Najib’s political secretary,”  

He said Zahid must remember he is the party president now.

“We want you to protect the party and its interests. Umno does not belong to any individual, you can’t do as you like.”

The former tourism minister was referring to Najib being appointed adviser to Barisan Nasional. which he had called regressive.

He said Zahid made the decision without consulting the party.

“He should have discussed the appointment with the party first. The Umno Supreme Council exists for the discussion of such matters.

“I asked the deputy president (about the appointment but) he didn’t know. The Supreme Council didn’t know. Since when have we had an advisory role in BN?”

He said Zahid should also consider his responsibilities as the BN chairman. 

Nazri said he was worried Najib’s BN appointment would hurt Umno’s ties with PAS.

Zahid should have also discussed the appointment beforehand with PAS, he said, as “they are our friends.”
 
Zahid had yesterday played down Nazri’s vocal opposition to Najib’s appointment.

“It’s all right. Nazri is like a brother to me. I do not think he meant what he said but still, what’s wrong with us being inclusive of former leaders?” he said. – July 14, 2019.