Zahid's remarkable courage to save Umno from enemy lauded – Makkal Sakti

SHAH ALAM – Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's extraordinary courage and determination must be commended for saving the party from enemies within, although the move may jeopardise his position.

Parti Makkal Sakti president Datuk Seri RS Thanenthiran said as a loyal friend of Umno, his party fully supported Zahid's actions to restore the party.

"The complete cleanse of Umno is something necessary to restore the strength and glory of the party.

"However, believe that the party is bigger than anyone.

"No matter how famous they are, no one can bypass political authority and rules!" he said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday.

Yesterday, six members of Umno had either been sacked or suspended over alleged attempts to sabotage the party in the past general election.

Aside from Khairy, former Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar was also sacked, while Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was suspended.

Other members suspended from the party for six years were former Umno Deputy Youth Chief Shahril Hamdan, Umno Youth Exco Fathul Bari Mat Jahya, former Jempol MP Salim Mohd Sharif and former Johor State Exco Maulizan Bujang.

Thanenthiran said that there might be several parties who were not happy with Zahid’s decision of dismissal and suspension, but the decision was not made by one person but it involved Umno Supreme Working Council members.

He also said that he understood the issue as an internal issue of a party that has its own constitution.

"It is their own issue, but party sovereignty and party loyalty are important to continue the agenda of the struggle.

"We are appointed as the highest leader only because of the party and not because of individual fame! I fully believe in this matter.

"Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia as a loyal partner remains with the President (Zahid) and the leadership of Umno in strengthening the party's dignity and also the direction of the country which has been supported by Umno since Independence!" he said.