UMNO is no longer relevant as it has been “killed” by the party president for his own benefit, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu said.

Faizal, a former Umno member himself, said the largest and oldest party in Malaysia has lost its cause in championing the rights of Malays and Islam.

“People in Umno have to understand, the (old) Umno is no longer there,” the former Perak menteri besar said at the Perikatan Nasional Election Convention in Selangor today.

“Now it is the exclusive club of Ahmad Zahid (Hamidi). Zahid has killed Umno.

“There is no more democracy. Whatever that had been done, whatever cause the party has been fighting… championing is no longer continued.”

Earlier this year, Zahid tightened his stranglehold on the party by sacking several prominent leaders ahead of party polls.

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein were among the casualties of a purge that has wiped out nearly all detractors.

It was also a move to prevent them taking any top posts in the party elections.

Faizal said he understands the feelings of Umno supporters, who had struggled for the party for years, only to be disappointed with the current political cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.

“Umno leaders have failed their supporters, and their cause, for the own benefit,” the Negri Sembilan PN chief said.

Faizal urged Umno members to support PN in the state elections.

“They (Umno members and supporters) should reject those the party,” he said.

“PN is now the place to continue their struggles.” – June 24, 2023.