Malaysia: Chairman of the United Malays National Organization resigns
The president of Malaysia's opposition United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has resigned amid growing pressure within the party.
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| Mr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Source: Malaymail |
The Star newspaper reported that in a statement released on the night of December 18, Mr. Zahid - former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia - stated that he decided to transfer the UMNO presidency to the party's Vice President, Mr. Mohamad Hasan, in the face of the current crisis the party is facing.
Mr. Zahid has held the position of UMNO President since June 30, after UMNO and the National Front (BN) alliance led by former Prime Minister Najib Razak were defeated in the Malaysian House of Representatives election in early May.
Previously, UMNO led by BN had led Malaysia for more than 60 years. After this defeat, former Prime Minister Najib Razak resigned as UMNO president and Mr. Zahid was elected to this position.
In recent times, there have been many voices within UMNO calling for Mr. Zahid to resign amid the exodus of many UMNO members from the party.
In addition, Mr. Zahid was charged by the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court with 45 counts related to embezzlement of money from the Yayasan Akal Budi fund, a fund established in 1997 with the goal of eliminating poverty and chaired by Mr. Zahid.
However, Mr. Zahid has denied all 45 charges. He is currently out on bail./.
