KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi believes that the polemics which have hit Umno could be attributed to his open attitude.
“Maybe it all started with my openness. People began theorising that there must be weaknesses, lack of competence or even credibility.
“I was the one who opened the contests for the post of president and deputy president despite the 2017 Umno general assembly having decided that there would be no contests for the posts,” he said.
He said that Umno’s ability to withstand challenges has been judged since then.
“When there are such challenges, there will be some who lack the ability to withstand (the pressure). But it doesn’t mean that when we lose, we should run to the other side for the sake of positions and other perks,” he said.
Zahid was speaking at a dialogue session with Umno members at Menara Dato Onn. Earlier, in a statement, he had announced that he would be passing the duties of the party presidency to his deputy, Datuk Seri Mohamed Hasan.
On the legal action filed by Umno against its elected representatives who have jumped ship, Zahid said Umno will use all legal means available as the individuals “have to pay their moral dues.”
“What is the price of loyalty and camaraderie? They should know.
“They did not win their seats on their own accord but on the party’s hard work. They have to be thankful to Umno and not jump ship to safeguard their own interests,” he said.