ALOR STAR: The Alor Star Umno Youth has called on party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down to ensure the party survives the turbulent times it was facing.
Its chief Syed Mohd Johan Rizal Syed Unan Mashri said Zahid needed to quit to ensure the party could forge ahead in its rejuvenation plans.
“We are making this stand as it is what the grassroots want.
“They are getting very restless looking at the crisis which the party is facing,” he said.
Syed Mohd Johan said party members were also asking about the so-called plans by Umno to forge relations with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said the grassroots were angered by such plans and had relayed that they would reject any attempts by Umno leadership to work with PH.
“They reject it because it will also mean that Umno has finally accepted working with DAP.
"Zahid should be looking at the bigger scenario and place Umno’s interest ahead of everything else.”
He added that any attempts by the party leadership to get back into power through back door negotiations would also be rejected.
Syed Mohd Johan said Zahid had failed to show any leadership qualities or charisma in putting the party back on track and this had led to the mass exodus of Umno parliamentarians.
“He has not shown any real attempt to rejuvenate the party or inform the members exactly where Umno is headed.
“To make things worse, his silence over many things is making the grassroots even more agitated,” he said.