Nazri tears into Zahid after Umno ministers remain in Cabinet
“It is obvious they should resign but the president lacks leadership to tell them to do so. Is he worried that if he asks them, they won’t listen to him?”
(FMT) – Outspoken Umno MP Nazri Aziz has slammed party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying he “lacks leadership” following reports that its ministers will remain in government.
Nazri, who yesterday challenged Umno ministers to resign after it resolved against working with PPBM, said Zahid’s leadership made Umno look weak.
“It’s pretty clear that the (Umno) ministers and deputies have no desire to leave their posts using the excuse that they will do so if the party instructs them to,” he told FMT.
But Nazri argued that Umno members and grassroots clearly understood that the resolution passed at the annual general assembly was a party decision.
“It is obvious they should resign but the president lacks leadership to tell them to do so. Is he worried that if he asks them, they won’t listen to him?”
The Padang Rengas MP said he does not expect to see Zahid instructing the ministers to quit the Cabinet and this made Umno look like a “paper tiger” after the “roars” at the party assembly.
Nazri said Zahid needs to understand the principle of moral accountability and “do the right thing”.
“He might be elected democratically but there’s also a moral accountability. If you are being charged in court, you must do what is best for the party.”
In December 2018, Zahid went on garden leave apparently to stem the tide of Umno elected representatives leaving the party. He returned to helm the party six months later.
Zahid, the former deputy prime minister, is facing 47 charges for criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering involving funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
As for the ministers, Nazri said his view that they were “cowards” for not resigning still stands.
He accused them of seeking a “lifeline” from Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to remain in the Cabinet, when during the emergency, a proper Cabinet was not needed for the running of the country.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin announced that all Umno ministers would remain in the Cabinet after he advised them to do so in the interest of the people and country.
