Zahid hailed as Umno's saviour by Marang division
The recognition was announced by Terengganu Umno deputy chairman Datuk Nik Dir Nik Wan Ku during the opening ceremony of the Marang Umno Wanita division delegates' meeting this evening.
Nik Dir, who is also Marang Umno division chief, said the recognition was given to Zahid, who is also the Bagan Datuk member of parliament, for defending the party despite calls for its dissolution following its poor performance in the 15th general election (GE15).
He said Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, stood firm in not dissolving Umno even while facing 87 court charges, and despite claims that the party had no future and could not be trusted.
"Ahmad Zahid, who had to attend court hearings over 87 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering, showed extraordinary spirit and remained resolute in his decision not to dissolve Umno.
"The Marang division party committee has thus decided to recognise Ahmad Zahid as 'bapa penyelamat' of Umno," he said during the meeting at Dewan Perkasa, Asrama Darul Falah, Bukit Payong.
The Marang Umno Wanita delegates' meeting was launched by Umno Wanita Movement executive council member Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid.
Also present was Marang Umno Wanita chief Zaiton Mat Amin.
Nik Dir said Ahmad Zahid was seen as "unyielding" and highly spirited, ignoring all pressure despite Umno winning only 24 parliamentary seats in GE15.
He said Umno leaders nationwide were at the time concerned that Ahmad Zahid might bow to pressure and agree to dissolve the party.
"Umno Marang division hereby officially recognises Ahmad Zahid as the saviour of the party," he said, drawing cheers of "Hidup Ahmad Zahid" and "Hidup Umno" from about 700 delegates.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
Akmal urges expelled leaders to set aside ego and rejoin party
UMNO Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh has urged suspended or expelled party leaders to put aside their egos if they still love UMNO, stressing the need for unity to strengthen the party. He said president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is open to appeals from them and offered to facilitate their return, naming Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin, and Shahril Hamdan. 'We need them (the suspended or expelled former leaders). As I said in my speech earlier, UMNO belongs to everyone and must be reunited. But with one condition: each of them must put their ego aside, love the party, and, God willing, UMNO will become stronger,' he said. Akmal emphasised UMNO is a family, and their past contributions cannot be forgotten. 'UMNO is a family for everyone. So, those who have faced disciplinary actions have contributions we cannot forget. 'That's why I said what is most important is UMNO's unity, and of course, this unity cannot happen from only one side,' he told reporters after officiating the Seremban UMNO Youth Division Conference on Friday (July 4). Several UMNO leaders have asked Hishammuddin to write an apology letter to the party leadership if he wishes to return. However, Hishammuddin said he did nothing wrong and sees no reason to apologise. He added that he never requested to return or have his suspension lifted; it was the Sembrong branch that proposed UMNO should bring him back. The conflict also attracted comments from Wanita UMNO's leader, Nurulhidayah Zahid, who then said, 'When it comes to filing an appeal, it's not kowtowing but a sign of responsibility to those who had used the platform to boost their names and struggles.' — July 5, 2025
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Court grants Thomas' bid to disqualify Justice Roz Mawar
PUTRAJAYA: Former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas has succeeded in disqualifying a High Court judge from hearing a defamation suit filed against him by Umno veteran Tan Sri Shahrir Ab. Samad. A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal allowed Thomas' appeal to disqualify Justice Roz Mawar Rozain from hearing the case in its future proceedings. In the unanimous decision, read out by Justice Faizah Jamaludin, the panel ruled that the findings of the High Court judge were neither based on the book written by Thomas nor the pleadings filed by Shahrir. The panel chaired by Justice Supang Lian, found that the statement made by the judge when dismissing Thomas' striking out application of the main suit was based on an opinion that she formed rather than by merits of the case. 'As an informed and fair-minded bystander, given the facts and circumstances of the case, we perceive that these findings and observations do give rise to a risk of real danger of bias by the learned judge even though the bias may be unintentional. 'We allow this appeal and set aside the decision of the High Court judge dated Jan 14 with order that the learned High Court judge recuse herself from all future proceedings in the trial,' Justice Faizah said. Justice Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin is the third judge of the panel. Thomas filed the recusal application on Aug 26 last year, claiming that Justice Roz Mawar had made numerous baseless findings and contradictory statements to the claims in the lawsuit and the evidence presented in court. On Jan 14, Justice Roz Mawar dismissed Thomas's application, saying that an unhealthy trend had emerged of litigants seeking to disqualify judges from hearing their cases which is capable of eroding public confidence in the judicial arm of the state. Thomas then filed an appeal at the appellate court. The application stemmed from Shahrir's lawsuit against Thomas over what the former claimed was a malicious prosecution. Shahrir was charged at the Sessions Court on Oct 21, 2020, for allegedly failing to declare a RM1mil cheque he received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) for restoration work on the Puri Langkasuka housing project in Larkin, Johor. On Jan 5, 2023, High Court judge Justice Muhammad Jamil Hussin acquitted the former Johor Baru MP of the charge. In December the same year, Shahrir filed the lawsuit and named Thomas, former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya, the MACC, and the government as defendants, for alleged malicious prosecution against him. Thomas, who served as AG from June 4, 2018, to Feb 28, 2020, refuted Shahrir's allegations of abuse of power, describing them as 'unsustainable'. He stated that the discretion to charge could only be exercised after the AG receives the investigation papers from agencies like the MACC. Thomas said he resigned on Feb 28, 2020, and that Shahrir's criminal trial for the charges began on July 26, 2022.
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Umno Youth chief urges sacked leaders to ‘set aside ego', says willing to bridge return of Khairy, Hishammuddin and Shahril
SEREMBAN, July 5 – Suspended or sacked former Umno leaders must set aside their egos if they still care for the party, Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh reportedly said. Sinar Harian quoted him saying Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had expressed his willingness to accept appeal letters from those affected by disciplinary actions. 'We need them. As I said earlier, Umno belongs to everyone and must be united again,' he said, referring to suspended or sacked Umno leaders. 'But on one condition – everyone must set aside their ego, love the party, and God willing, Umno will grow stronger,' he added. Dr Akmal said he was ready to act as a bridge to bring back suspended leaders Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan into the party. He said his only goal was to ensure Umno remained strong as a family. 'Umno is a family for all. Those who were disciplined have contributed, and we cannot forget that,' he reportedly said, adding that unity in Umno cannot come from one side alone. Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said it would be up to the Umno Supreme Council to decide whether to reduce or revoke Sembrong MP Hishammuddin's suspension. Earlier reports indicated that the Sembrong Umno Division had proposed reinstating Hishammuddin's membership to strengthen the party ahead of the upcoming general election. Hishammuddin's Umno membership was suspended for six years, or two supreme council election terms, starting January 27, 2023.
