Zahid should remain, Umno leader says after party thrashed again

A senior Umno leader aligned with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has shot back at growing calls on the party president to step down following a repeat of its electoral misfortune in the just-concluded state polls.

Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi said Zahid's exit would not solve the problem faced by the party in regaining support from Malays, who were widely believed to have spurned Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in six states in favour of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

"Don't point fingers. It is a shared burden. Telling Zahid to resign isn't the solution. Everyone is responsible," he said, adding that PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin had not done the same when Bersatu lost the state elections in Melaka and Johor.

Although the Umno camp has been largely silent over the party's dismal performance, voices have emerged from a section of leaders urging for a "change", stopping short of calling Zahid to step down.

They include Umno Youth chief, who urged the party to listen to the people's voice and "dare to change", and former Terengganu menteri besar Idris Jusoh, who urged Zahid to accept responsibility for the losses and resign.

Zahid was instrumental in taking BN's 30 MPs to back Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister last year, a strategy seen as salvaging BN's presence in Putrajaya despite coming out last among the three major coalitions – PH, PN, and BN – in the general election last year.

At the polls last weekend, Umno was wiped out in Kedah and Terengganu, while winning only two seats in Penang and Selangor and one seat in Kelantan. The party only shined in Negeri Sembilan, winning 14 seats.

Overall, Umno won just 19 of the 108 seats it contested, despite being given way by PH to contest in mixed and semi-urban seats.

Puad, meanwhile, said there is a way for Umno to regain Malay support.

"Umno ministers must be serious in seeing through the agenda of the people and the Malays is successful. Power is in their hands.

"This is why Umno must remain in the unity government. PH-BN needs to strengthen cooperation. Zahid is suitable for this mission. He doesn't need to resign. No need to lash out."