[UPDATED] GE15: resign, Johor MB tells Zahid after BN’s dismal polls performance

KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has fired the first salvo in calling for Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down following the party’s disastrous showing in the 15th general election (GE15) yesterday.

In a Facebook post, he said a political tsunami has occurred and the Malays have rejected Umno.

“Umno has fallen. Umno and Barisan Nasional won only nine parliamentary seats in Johor, while we did not win a single parliamentary seat in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Melaka, Kelantan, or Terengganu.

“Also, though a bitter pill to swallow, Umno leaders, including myself, have to return to hear the voice of the people, which was translated through their votes yesterday,” he said.

He said many Umno, MCA, and MIC leaders of high calibre and potential lost because the parties did not want to hear the pulse of the grassroots.

“We must be daring to make changes for the future of this party. Efforts to restore and improve the party must begin now. If we do not change now, we will not win a single seat in future.

“Therefore, with all due respect and appreciation, I request that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi resign as party president with immediate effect, just as Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak did in 2018,” he said.

“InsyaAllah (God willing) this big-hearted action will help us take the first step to restore and strengthen the Umno that we love,” he said.

“All their sacrifices will be appreciated and God willing, the struggle will continue,” he added.

Echoing the call for Zahid’s resignation, Kota Raja Umno Youth also said it was frustrated following the election results and called on Zahid to take full responsibility.

“We call on Zahid to take responsibility for the loss and resign just like what Najib did after GE14.

“We also call on Umno deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, to fulfil his promise to also resign if Barisan Nasional did not win the election,” its chief, Sheikh Weshal Sheikh Ahmad said in a statement.

He said it is time all negotiations between Umno and other parties be undertaken by the party’s vice-president, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, which would make the talks more open, calm, and for the good of the party, and not for personal reasons. – The Vibes, November 20, 2022