Zahid urges Umno members to retain faith in party

PETALING JAYA: Umno members have been urged to remain strong and have faith and confidence in its leaders, said party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix).
He said members must be sincere and show their fighting spirit to ensure the continuity of the party's struggles.
"Leaving the party at a time (when) Umno is being tested isn't a characteristic that can be praised or made an example of," he said in a statement today.
He said the resignations of Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Datuk Seri Anifah Aman was regrettable but Islam has taught us to be loyal (taat) as long as they do no wrong.
On Tuesday Mustapa, Jeli MP and Umno supreme council member, announced his resignation and today Anifah, who is Kimanis MP and Umno supreme council member also resigned from the party.
A total of five Umno lawmakers have resigned from the party since its poor showing in the 14th General Election.
Zahid said no matter what the reasons given by those who have resigned from the party, it was not fair to the voters who elected based on the trust placed on Umno by the electorate.
"The excuse of the party being weak due to personal agenda is something that is unreasonable," said the Bagan Datuk MP while urging party members remain calm, have an open heart and continue to place their confidence on the party leaders to handle the situation.
He said he hoped that the resignations would not weaken or cripple the Umno.
Zahid said he took the political developments in the country in a serious manner and Umno needs party loyalists to continue to be strong.
He said Umno needed members who were loyal to the party's struggles.