PETALING JAYA: Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has spoken out against calls for party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign, pleading for unity and harmony among members.
Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat, said the “impolite” manner in which the calls had been made was against Umno’s values and culture, and warned members against being disrespectful towards the presidential institution.
“We can have different opinions and aspirations because Umno is democratic, but not to the point where it leads to disputes and eventually divisions in Umno. I call on all to unite within Umno by reconciling with one another.
“A little seed of division between us will give our opponents the opportunity to break Umno apart,” he said in a statement today.
Mohamad urged Umno members to guard the friendships and camaraderie within the party, adding that no one would benefit nor win from Umno being divided.
He also said his concern was that the party and the Malays would pay the biggest price if differences were not settled in a civil and courteous manner.
“I urge everyone to bring in new era for Umno with unity and cooperation. An era where the party is strengthened with the commitment to champion the interests of Malaysia, the Malays, Islam and democracy.
“And, finally, an era where Umno is respected as the true spokesman of Malaysians and the Malays, and not a party that is greedy for power and position,” he said.
There have recently been a few calls for Zahid to step down as Umno president, with a division chief most recently saying his weak leadership had caused “havoc” among members.
Two youth leaders from Johor and Negeri Sembilan had also asked Zahid to resign.
