GEORGETOWN - It is not fair to blame Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi solely for the significant defeat suffered by Barisan Nasional (BN) in the six state elections on Aug 12.

Instead, all parties need to take responsibility, work towards rebuilding the party, and not allow themselves to be influenced by external influences attempting to undermine Umno and BN.

Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail said the negative culture of pushing the top leadership of the party to step down should be stopped because it doesn't solve the issue but exacerbates the situation instead.

He clarified that the Umno division will continue to remain steadfast and provide undivided support to Zahid's leadership in rebuilding and rebranding Umno.

"We all agree and stand united with the decision of the four-level committee members of Umno Bukit Bendera division that we will remain firm and resolute alongside Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in rebuilding and revitalising Umno into an acceptable platform for our cause." "We persist in defending the institution of the president wholeheartedly. We also understand that today Umno listens to too much talk from 'outsiders'. "'Outsiders' here means those who want Zahid to step down because they know that if that happens, it will be easier for them to infiltrate Umno and achieve their main goal of killing the party," he said when interviewed at the Umno Bukit Bendera Division office.

Meanwhile, Ahmad urged Umno members to open their eyes and observe whether the leaders of opposing parties also stepped down when their parties faced defeat.

In fact, he criticised opposing parties for allegedly meddling in Umno's internal affairs and advised them to focus on their own party.

"Does Umno only have a president? Is the president solely responsible for everything? What happened to the places where we have won before?" "Stop asking the Umno president to step down. We have our own ways; we have our own house; we take care of our house; you take care of your house. In my view, every member should be responsible, not just the president alone, and we know that our president is someone who takes responsibility..." Ahmad added.

In the recent six-state state elections, BN recorded its worst defeat in history, winning only 19 out of 108 contested state assembly seats.

BN won only 14 seats in Negeri Sembilan, two each in Selangor and Penang, and one in Kelantan. - AWANI