KUALA LUMPUR – Joining the chorus for Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s resignation as Umno president and BN chairman were party youth exco members Datuk Najmil Faiz Mohamed Aris and Datuk Muhamad Muqharabbin Mokhtarrudin.
Najmil said Barisan Nasional’s loss this time was worse compared to GE14 and Zahid must take responsibility for this.
He said BN’s loss proved that Umno was made the sacrificial lamb by a leader who held the party to ransom.
“Please step down with dignity. Let there be no room for a cooperation between Umno and Pakatan Harapan,” he said in a statement.
Muqharabbin, meanwhile, said BN lost because of its arrogance in wanting to go solo and not wanting to change, claiming its real weakness was not listening to the voice of the grassroots and the people.
“From the beginning, I have voiced several issues internally including not naming parachute candidates, the court cases, and the decision to change the BN candidates at the last minute.
“I have also been urging for Muafakat Nasional to be maintained because the Melaka and Johor elections were not the determinant factor of BN’s strength in winning a general election, which is different from a state election.
“Therefore, it is appropriate for Zahid to step down and the party election to be held soon to give a new mandate for the Umno leadership to make real changes,” said Muqharabbin in a statement.
BN Kulai deputy chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the defeat showed that BN and Umno were no longer the choice of the people here.
“The people have made their choice. BN is no longer their choice and we realise this and accept the results.
“With all due respect, I urge the Umno president, who is also the BN chairman, to resign as soon as possible, just like what Datuk Seri Najib Razak did in 2018,” he said in a statement.
Another Johor Umno leader, former Kota Tinggi MP Halimah Mohd Sadique, also joined the bandwagon in urging Zahid to vacate his post to allow a new president to lead the party.
The former national unity minister said that she fully supported the Johor menteri besar’s call, not for her personal benefit, but based on what the party needs.
“Umno no longer can bear the liabilities of individuals that put their personal interests above others.
“With due respect, I urge the Umno president to immediately step down as Najib did in 2018,” said Halimah in a Facebook post today. – The Vibes, November 20, 2022
