Nazri calls for separate Umno president, parliamentary opposition leader

Vasudevan Vamadevan Vasudevan Vamadevan Updated 5 years ago · Published on 6 Jun 2018 11:00AM · 10 Comments

Nazri Abdul Aziz says this is the first time Umno is going to sit in the opposition in parliament. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 6, 2018.

UMNO will most likely have separate leaders for parliament and its party, if Nazri Abdul Aziz has his way.

The Umno supreme council member said this is what he will suggest as parliament prepares to convene after Hari Raya.

“We don’t have a precedent for this. This is the first time we are going to sit in the opposition and it is time for Umno MPs to decide who will lead in the chamber,” Nazri told The Malaysian Insight.

“It has always been the party president automatically becoming prime minister. That may no longer be the case now. We have to decide who among us will lead. It is no longer a party matter,” he said as Umno goes through the motions of electing a new president.

The former culture, arts and tourism minister said Barisan Nasional won 79 seats in the 222-seat parliament.

“Umno has 54 seats and forms the largest bloc among the opposition ranks. One of Umno’s MPs will be the opposition leader,” he said.

While Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is a natural choice by virtue of being Umno’s acting president, some in the party feel he should concentrate on rebuilding the party.

“The choice of who will be the leader will be decided later. There is a precedent on this. DAP’s Lim Kit Siang was the parliamentary leader when he was not the party’s secretary-general,” he said.

However, Nazri did not want to be drawn into discussing whether he would be offering himself as a choice for the position.

Another name being bandied about as a suitable candidate for the position is Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also vying for an Umno vice-president post in the June 30 party polls.

Zahid has already announced his intention to contest the presidency at the party election.

To date, Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, who is now the de facto number two in the party, has not indicated if he will have a tilt for the position of deputy president.

Hishammuddin has taken on the duties of the Umno deputy president.

Last Saturday, former Negri Sembilan menteri besar and Umno’s state chief Mohamad Hasan said he was going for the deputy president post. – June 6, 2018.

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Comments

  • Wow, finally he speaks.

    Posted 5 years ago by Gerald Lau · Reply

  • That is one sensible proposal. Umno needs to start changing and stop the racist and bigotry nature. show that it can reform too. Drop out all those dead wood and recalcitrant who are still dwelling in the old culture then only can Umno be an cceptable opposition.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • The problem with Umno is that they do not have credible leaders with this present set. They only got leaders who know how to be corrupt, religious bigots, racists, etc.. In fact, all the present leaders must resign n never stand for election. Let the younger set of people who are without any baggage to lead. Then Umno got hope. Anything less than that spells doom for Umno

    Posted 5 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply

    • Who in UMNo is credible. When no one spoke up for the rakyat during their last administration. UMNo can bungkus balik kampung

      Posted 5 years ago by Putang Inang · Reply

  • I suggest appoint Jamal as Senator and put him as the Opposition leader. There will for sure be more fun in Parliament.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ken destino · Reply

  • UMNO leaders have not standing.....cannot keep words ...Zahidi said before GE 14 that THIS IS HIS LAST TERM...NOW CONTESTING FOR PRESIDENT......TAK MALU KAH........BAGI LAH ORANG LAIN PEGANG PRESIDENT BARANG KALI ADA BANYAK KES CORRUPSI UNTUK DI HANDALI SABAGAI SEKSI SIAPA ITU ORANG ARAB YANG DERMA RM2.67 B.

    Posted 5 years ago by Mohanarajan murugeson · Reply

  • NAZRI IS SO GOOD AT BUTT KISSING WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE HE IS.. WHAT HE IS SAYING IS ZAHID HAMID CANNOT TALK INTELLIGENTLY BUT WILL BE UMNO PRESIDENT.. LOL...

    Posted 5 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • The big mouth Nazri probably wants to be the Opposition Leader in parliament! He needs to have some decency and decorum if he desires to be so. He should resist his temptation to be racist if he wants to be respected by the MPs and the public.

    Posted 5 years ago by Peter Johnson · Reply

  • No more commission for hotel contracts ? What he is saying let me be the leader, because he is only racist not corrupt.

    Posted 5 years ago by Putang Inang · Reply

  • Old guards like Nazri, Zahid, Keris Jibby and Ku Nan need to go if UMNO is serious about reform. This is also unlikely to happen when Dr Comedy refuse to even heed UMNO Youth's call to go on leave despite having 45 charges against him.

    Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply