IT is unfair to blame Umno president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Barisan Nasional’s (BN) defeat in the 15th general election last November, Umno Supreme Council member Saarani Mohamad said.

He said after BN lost heavily in the 2018 general election, it was Zahid, the BN chairman, who led the coalition’s comeback, winning seven by-elections and two state polls in Malacca and Johor.

“Yes, we were defeated in GE15, but when we won the seven by-elections and two state elections, he was the Umno president. So it is not right to say that we lost in GE15 all because of the party president.

“All decisions were also made by the Umno political bureau and were later confirmed in the council meeting. So, I disagree with those who say the defeat was entirely the president’s fault,“ he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Perak menteri besar said that despite the party’s defeat, Umno is now part of the administration in the unity government and Zahid has been appointed as deputy prime minister.

“If party elections are to be held, how sure are we that the new Umno president will be appointed deputy prime minister? If Zahid is not retained, we are doomed,” he said.

On the party elections, he said the motion submitted by the delegates so far was for no contest for the two top positions and if this is approved today, the polls will see the contest for the other positions including the vice president posts.

“We have also decided in the state liaison meeting that Perak is 100% behind the current president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” he said.

In addition, Saarani said he will defend his position as Lenggong Umno division chief in the upcoming party polls.

The Umno elections for all party posts and at all levels must be done before May 19, six months after the conclusion of the general election. – Bernama, January 14, 2023.