PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is standing firm and will not bow to calls for him to step down as Umno president.
Only through a special general assembly could the president or anyone in the party’s top leadership be removed, he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is fighting multiple criminal charges in court, said he would “only abide by party’s constitution” in response to calls for him to quit.
“(It should) not be based on calls or be pressured by individuals,” he said, challenging his detractors to call for a special general assembly.
“Please, go ahead,” he said, adding that such a meeting should be attended by at least two-thirds of the party delegates.
Ahmad Zahid has claimed trial to 45 charges of money laundering involving RM72mil and criminal breach of trust and accepting bribes involving RM42mil.
On Friday, he was slapped with another charge of criminal breach of trust involving RM10mil.
He refused to comment on Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin’s continuous pressure for him to go.
Over Twitter, Khairy said yesterday: “Step aside, sir. It’s time,” in clear reference for Umno to elect a new leadership amidst defections of party leaders.
When asked about Khairy’s tweet, Ahmad Zahid said: “This one, no need to respond.”
Other leaders have also urged the Umno president to step down.
They include Alor Setar Umno Youth chief Syed Mohd Johan Rizal Syed Unan Mashri, Melaka Umno deputy Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and Sabah Umno Youth vice-chief Ghazalie Ansing.
On Wednesday, five MPs, two senators and nine assemblymen from Sabah Umno exited the party. On Friday, six more Umno MPs announced their resignation.
In a separate statement yesterday, Ahmad Zahid said Umno would continue to work closely with PAS on Islamic and Malay issues.
“This is what Malays and Muslims are happy to see.
“Umno will also refuse to cooperate with DAP and will not compromise with any agenda that sidelines Islam and the Malays,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said a special Umno supreme council meeting that was scheduled for today had been postponed, and not cancelled.
He added that the meeting had nothing to do with calls for him to step down.
Meanwhile, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said she was not leaving the party.
“I am here to stay. God willing,” she said in a Facebook posting.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also said he would remain loyal to the party.
“Even if everyone leaves, Umno Youth will remain to continue to hold onto Umno’s flag,” he said in a statement.
He, however, said Umno should address the exodus of party leaders.
The party needed to be strengthened and become an effective opposition, he said. In order for this to happen, Umno needed to look within and apologise to Malaysians for its past wrongs, Asyraf said.
In Terengganu, Besut MP Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh denied speculation he was leaving Umno following the departure of Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid and five others MPs on Friday.
“Do not believe it,” he told Bernama.-Star
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