KUALA LUMPUR: Umno members must refrain from committing insolence in their protest against the party's president.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the act of erecting banners, among others, in pressuring Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down was unhealthy and did not reflect the party's moral values.
He reminded Umno members to respect the party's presidential institution and resolve differences through tact and census.
"This is not the culture and value of Umno. Moreover, this is not the mannerism and moral of us as Muslims and Malays. We must treat the presidential institution with politeness and courtesy.
"We may have different views, aspirations and vision due to our democratic values. But we should never resort to escalating disputes to the extent of dividing the party," Mohamad said in a statement on Facebook today.
Several banners urging Zahid to relinquish his presidency were erected in Tanjung Malim, Kuala Kangsar and Bandar Tun Razak in Perak.
Mohamad also urged Umno members to unite or otherwise, it would be a situation to be taken advantage of by their political rivals.
"We should never sacrifice Umno's unity. No one (from Umno) will gain from Umno's disunity. We will all go down together."
Mohamad urged party members to work for a better future for Umno.
"(It should be) an era where the party is strengthened with the commitment to fight for the interest of Malaysia, Malays, Muslims and democracy as top priority.
"It should be an era where Umno is respected as the true spokesman of Malaysians and Malays, and not as a party that is greedy for power and position," he said.