Leave UMNO if still have doubts about current leaders - Idris Haron

The Melaka UMNO Liaison Committee has proposed for any UMNO leaders and members to leave the party if they still have doubts about the current party leadership.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Idris Haron, said such a move was necessary to ensure that the party would remain strong and comprise only leaders and members who were united.

"We must stay united in everything we do...must always act as one to ensure our party can win big in the next general election.

"We don't want to have members who will fight halfheartedly for our cause because that can be the reason for the party's disappointment in the future," he told reporters after opening the Jasin UMNO meeting in Lipat Kajang here today.

On March 4, former prime minister and Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad led about 50 individuals in signing a declaration to support the move to oust Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as prime minister.

Also supporting the declaration were former UMNO deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Meanwhile, Tawau UMNO unanimously and strongly condemned the declaration, saying that they would continue giving their full support to Najib as prime minister, UMNO president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.

"We also make a pledge to continue supporting the leadership of Datuk Seri Musa Aman as chief minister and Sabah UMNO Liaison Committee chairman," Tawau UMNO chief Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan said in a statement after chairing the Tawau UMNO committee meeting today.

He said Tawau UMNO also called on UMNO Supreme Council and Disciplinary Board to take stern action against members who were involved in supporting and signing the declaration. In GEORGETOWN, Bukit Bendera UMNO also rejected the declaration and pledged to give their full support to Najib's leadership.

Its chief, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, said the attempt to topple the prime minister through the declaration was undemocratic and done with total disregard of both the general election and party election processes.

"The Bukit Bendera UMNO strongly believe that the action of conspiring with the opposition (to topple the prime minister) is an uncivilized and despicable action, which contravenes UMNO principles and foundation of Malay struggles," he told a press conference.