Umno deputy president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said those who think they can do a better job than Umno president Najib Abdul Razak are welcomed to leave the party.

He said this when asked of Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin's claim that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanted him and not Najib Abdul Razak to succeed fifth Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Najib, who is the sixth prime minister, sacked Muhyiddin as deputy prime minister and appointed Zahid to the post last July.

"Those who feel the current leader should not be there can offer themselves to other organisations.

"He can then prove to the people that he is better than our current leader.

"It is best to wait for the the next general election, so we can see who the rakyat chooses then," Zahid, who is Umno vice president, said.

Zahid said this at a press conference after officiating the National Consumer Day at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

'Stop being nostalgic and get a grip, Muhyiddin'

Muhyiddin reportedly said he responded to Mahathir’s request that he take over from Abdullah after the 2008 general election by pressuring Najib to take the job instead.

He said this was because he was at the time Umno vice president while Najib held a more senior ranking as deputy president.

Zahid, however, said Muhyiddin should stop being nostalgic and get a grip on reality.

“I respect what he is saying, and his feelings (but) we should face what is real and stop being nostalgic over things that never became reality,” he said.

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