Zahid may need to make sacrifices for Umno, experts say

SHAH ALAM: Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi may have to make sacrifices by giving the top party post to "leaders that may be seen with no issues" to lead Umno, the biggest Malay party.

National Council of Professors senior fellow Dr Jeniri Amir said Umno leaders would need to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob if the party intends to win in the coming election. This comes after Ismail was announced as prime minister 'poster boy' for the next general election

"If Umno political leaders want their party to lead the country, they have to support Ismail Sabri."

"We cannot have leaders who are seen facing issues, otherwise the voters will start questioning why Umno has put forward leaders that may be seen having problems," he told Sinar Daily.

Zahid, the former deputy prime minister has been charged with 12 CBT charges, eight counts of bribery charges and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi of which he has been told to enter his defence on all 47 corruption charges.

Meanwhile, political analyst Dr Zainal Kling said Umno needs to improve its image by placing a leader free of any court charges.

"I suppose Ismail Sabri fulfills the criteria. At the moment the public and voters may not want to support any candidates facing court cases, corruption or be seen with integrity problems."

"Most voters are watching if political parties will place cleaner candidates for polls," he told Sinar Daily.

He agrees to place Ismail Sabri as the prime minister 'poster boy' as he seems to be the creditable candidate at the moment.

"They have to place candidates who are clean from corruption, without ethical problems," he said.