UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid urges those who remain in the party to be loyal, while those who have left UMNO should continue to stay outside.
He said during an interview on the podcast of 'Third TV' that if the number of UMNO members is only illusory, it is meaningless even if it becomes the party with the most members.
He stated that his goal is to reunite the grassroots of the party.
“Those who have already left (UMNO), please continue (to stay outside)... and those who temporarily left (keluar sekejap), it's okay if you want to leave permanently. Those who are backstabbers, arrogant, I think we don't need these people.”
“Rather have fewer members who are loyal to the party than numbers akin to foam on the sea!”
Although Ahmad Zahid did not name which leaders temporarily left, former UMNO Youth Chief Khairy and former Deputy Chief Shahrir started a podcast called 'Keluar Sekejap' after leaving UMNO.
Ahmad Zahid also said he is not a dictatorial leader; all policies and decisions within the party are made collectively.
“We can discuss, it's important for UMNO to align policies to regain dominance.”
He is confident that the currently 30-seat holding UMNO can increase seats in the 16th General Election and will focus efforts on second-tier seats (kerusi tier 2).
He explained that second-tier seats are those where the National Front lost but placed second.
“We will negotiate with other parties to compete again in these seats. I believe we can reclaim these second-tier seats.”
On another note, Ahmad Zahid said UMNO has requested the King's pardon for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib as the party's final effort.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that UMNO had initiated defense actions for Najib since the beginning, and it has now entered its final stage. This matter is now submitted to the pardon committee led by the King, which is all they can do.
He also revealed that UMNO has urged Najib’s representative lawyer to request a full pardon from the King.
“I will never give up helping Najib; only those who are ungrateful would ignore Najib’s current predicament.”
“Only irrational people would abandon someone who once benefited them. To me, Najib is not just my boss, friend, but also a brother-like figure, even though we have no blood relation.”