KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said DAP leader Dr P Ramasamy's labeling of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as "a burden to Umno" demonstrated the former's lack of knowledge over the reality within the party.
He said the claim made by Ramasamy, who is also Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, was just his personal opinion.
"It just his perspective.
"There are also many other interpretations but the reality is that the decision was made for the sake of the party's survival.
"This is for the sake of the party (demi parti)," he said in a press conference today.
The recently-concluded Umno General Assembly saw delegates vote in support of a motion to not have the top two posts put up for contest in the party's upcoming party polls.
The motion was proposed by Negri Sembilan Umno delegate Mohd Shukri Shamsudin.
Ahmad said by not having the posts contested, it would ensure that Umno has better focus on the upcoming state elections.
"Imagine having to hold the party election and at the same time, manage the state elections. Which one should we prepare for?
"Remember that party is more important, it trumps everything else.
"When the additional motion was filed, the speaker said there was no objection to it. The majority of the members agreed (to the motion)," he said.
Asked if the party has already initiated discussions with Pakatan Harapan (PH) on preparations for the state election, he said there is still time to do so.