KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied claims that the party is attempting to gain power by revoking its support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
According to him, Umno has to prioritise the public's interest, adding that the move was meant to help steer the country in the right direction so that the people's aspirations can be fulfilled.
"If we are power-hungry, this will not be the way to do it. We might as well hold on to the power that we already have.
"Umno (members) can't be yes men and simply accept all of Perikatan Nasional (PN) government's failures," he wrote on his Facebook account today.
On Wednesday, after a four-hour-long meeting, Zahid said the Umno Supreme Council decided for the party to withdraw its support for Muhyiddin and the PN government.
He also urged Muhyiddin to step down to make way for a new face who can bring the country out of the current health and economic crises.
Meanwhile, a number of Umno leaders, currently members of the PN cabinet and detractors, have chastised Zahid for citing government failures as a reason for withdrawing support.
On this, Zahid dismissed it as a subtle attempt to turn Umno into a scapegoat by blaming the largest Malay-based party for PN's failures.
"It is as though Umno has to be held responsible for the PN government's failures.
"The assistance provided for the people, which is not much, only happened because Umno had to pressure (the government).
"Should Umno be doing nothing? Just close our eyes simply due to certain interests?
"No, Umno exists for the people. Therefore, Umno will speak up and continue to voice out, although the arty is not being treated well," he said.