Perak Umno chief says state solidly behind Zahid as party president

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 — Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has the full support of Perak Umno to remain the party president, state chief Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said today, amid a split on opening up its top two posts for contest.

Saarani, who is also Perak mentri besar, said that it is important for the current Umno leadership status quo to remain to build up federal “unity government”.

“We have decided in our latest liaison meeting. We have reached a consensus during the meeting that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will have solid support from Perak grassroots members,” he told reporters at the World Trade Centre here where the Umno annual general assembly is underway.

He added that Umno and the rest of the Barisan Nasional component parties will have to undergo self-reflection following their dismal showing in GE15.

He noted that many Umno delegates had spoken about the need to conduct research, identify their weaknesses, and ways to improve during the party’s debates earlier.

He said the party needs to turn their words into action and galvanise the grassroots for the next election.

“That's the most important thing for me,” he added.

Several Umno delegates want the Umno presidency and deputy presidency opened for election this year to enable reform, following the party’s bruising performance at the 15th general election last November.

But just as many appear to think the party should buckle down to redress its weaknesses first to become more politically relevant in future.

The delegates are set to vote on the motion at the end of today’s debate session.