Lokman Adam Proposes Najib Takes Over During Zahid S Leave

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Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam has proposed that former Umno president Najib Abdul Razak be appointed opposition leader while Ahmad Zahid Hamidi takes a break from the party presidency
He also wants Najib to become the de facto leader of Umno during this period
"In such a critical situation, Umno needs the services of an experienced leader who is respected by BN MPs who have not jumped and those who have jumped (to other parties)
"Based on this, as Umno supreme council member, I suggest that the Umno president (Ahmad Zahid) appoints Najib as Umno's de facto leader as well as the opposition leader while the Umno president is on leave," Lokman said in a statement today
This appointment is very important to ensure the stability of Umno, he said, as a majority of the party members who voted for Ahmad Zahid as Umno president would not accept deputy president Mohamad Hasan's leadership
Mohamad, he said, has never once defended Ahmad Zahid while he was being attacked by those asking him to step aside
Lokman also expressed his disappointment over Ahmad Zahid's decision to go on leave as Umno president as he said this is a huge win for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Ahmad Zahid last night caved in to pressure and announced that he would step aside as Umno president, handing over the duties of the position to his deputy Mohamad."In light of the crisis faced by the party today, I have decided to entrust the deputy president with the duties of the Umno president
"I urge that no more of our MPs or assemblypersons quit the party," he said
Zahid later said he was not resigning, but only going on leave so that Mohamad can run the show. -- Mkini

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