Zahid’s appointment hinders Umno’s rejuvenation process

JOHOR BAHRU - The appointment of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Deputy Prime Minister hinders the process of Umno’s rejuvenation at the grassroots level.

Umno Youth activist Syed Mohd Syed Nasir said this was because the reason given to the grassroots regarding the appointment was made for the survival of the party seemed to be difficult to accept.

"The grassroots were made to believe that the appointment of Umno president as Deputy Prime Minister is for the sake of Umno’s survival as the largest Malay party in the country.

"The focus on restoring moral decay and giving a clear direction to the grassroots should be more important than chasing worldly positions.

“Therefore, I hope the actions of the Umno President will not burden the people below.

"There should be no UMNO leader who changes his stance for personal gain. The appointment of the Umno President as Deputy Prime Minister is not a place to be used as a 'shelter' or protection for those who pawn the dignity of the grassroots struggle," he said in a statement on Saturday.

On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the Cabinet of the Unity Government consisted of 28 ministers, a week after he was sworn in as Prime Minister.

All cabinet members are scheduled to be sworn in at the Istana Negara on Saturday evening.

Syed Mohd who is also a member of the Student and Education Committee of the Umno Youth Movement also questioned Anwar’s action which appointed a leader from the ‘court cluster’ to lead the country.

He claimed that the action was unfair to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, whom he described as a leader with a big heart and who agreed with the people's decision.

"Will there be another release of the court cluster after this?" he questioned.