UMNO leaders tainted with corruption charges should be put aside to save and restore the party’s honour, said Musa Hitam.

The former Umno deputy president also suggests that able-bodied groups that have been sidelined be given the opportunity to lead and strengthen the party.

“Umno should take the stand that whoever has anything to do with the allegations in court be set aside until you can prove that you are innocent.

“That is the only way the community will respect us,” he told Malay daily Mingguan Malaysia.

Musa said infighting has caused Umno to be splintered into three factions.

The first is Umno puritans who believed in the spirit of the party, the second those firmly with the party leaders, such as its current president Ahmad Zahid Hamid, and the third consists of capable leaders not given a chance to step forward.

The former deputy prime minister suggests that the third faction should take over the party.

This faction, he said, consists of members who still believe in the party but not given the opportunity to stand out.

When asked about Najib Razak, Musa said the Pekan MP is a capable leader, as well as smart and able to make decisions.

“But unfortunately, something happened to him that I do not want to comment on. But if you reject all that, I think he is the best as a leader.”

On current Umno president Zahid, Musa said the former deputy prime minister is polite and hardworking where he was able to obtain a doctorate.

“He is also very strong at the grassroots level, diligent in going down to the village and good at speaking. Unfortunately, he himself has also been charged in court,” said Musa.

Najib faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3 billion from 1Malaysia Development Bhd and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

Najib was found guilty of embezzling RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd and was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million last July.

He is still at large after successfully appealing for a suspended sentence.

Zahid now faces 47 charges – 12 for breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering.

Another Umno leader facing serious charges in court is its secretary-general, Ahmad Maslan.

The Pontian MP was charged with failing to declare the RM2 million received from Najib to the Inland Revenue Board. – March 7, 2021.