THE Bersatu youth wing this evening declared its support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad to remain prime minister.

Rejecting any move to work with Umno after a meeting earlier today, youth wing chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman backing Dr Mahathir was for the sake of national importance.

The wing’s decision not to work with Umno appears to contradict that of party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

It has been reported previously that Dr Mahathir quit as Bersatu chairman on Monday after being pressured by the party leaders to ditch Pakatan Harapan in favour of Umno and PAS, and form a new government.

“The Armada meeting has decided to support Dr Mahathir to remain as the prime minister to lead the administration of the nation for its general good,” Syed Saddiq said in a statement, adding the wing rejected an Ahmad Zahid Hamidi-led Umno.

“We welcome Malay unity but based on principles and integrity, we can never work with Umno.

“They damaged the reputation of the Malay race with their thieving and corrupt practices when they were in power.

“As such, the youth wing supports Dr Mahathir’s stand to reject working with Umno as a whole, which would be a betrayal to the mandate given by the people to Bersatu,” he said.

Earlier, in the press conference, Syed Sadiq also dismissed calls by Umno and PAS for snap polls in the face of the current political turmoil.

He said Armada stood by the principles of delivering the mandate given by the people in the last general election.

Syed Saddiq also said the youth wing will adhere to every decision made by Dr Mahathir. – February 25, 2020.