The voices of discontent among the Umno grassroots continue to grow louder with a party branch leader demanding Najib Abdul Razak quits before the next general election.

 

In an open letter to the prime minister, Syed Rosli Jamalullail said the move would inject a new lease of life into Umno.

 

"Although we Umno members feel that your services are no longer needed, we however do not mean to insult you," Syed Rosli stressed.

 

Syed Rosli ( left ), who is the information chief for Pusat Bandar Taman Chempaka Umno branch - which is part of the Pandan division in Selangor - said Malay support for the party was growing weaker.

 

He also noted the decline in votes for BN's Chinese and Indian-based component parties.

 

"If you (Najib) really love Umno and BN, then it is best that you withdraw. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your contributions.

 

"But because of the liabilities we must bear (because of you), the best way is for you to step down."

 

Syed Rosli implored Najib to help Umno regain its strength by quitting.

He also took a swipe at the prime minister's penchant for suing his critics.

 

"I do not wish to elaborate or mention details for you may deny it and sue me. I cannot afford to pay," he said.

 

Syed Rosli's letter comes hot on the heels of another Umno grassroots leader's police report against Najib's debt-laden brainchild, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

 

Rare open rebellion

 

Last week, Batu Kawan Umno division deputy chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan urged the police to probe the government-owned investment company and its directors.

 

Khairuddin also warned that he would not hesitate to file a report against Najib in his capacity as finance minister.

 

Such open rebellion from grassroots leaders is rare in Umno, which prefers to settle its differences behind closed doors.

 

This has fuelled speculation that certain powerful forces in the party are pulling the strings.

 

After the Umno general assembly last month, former minister Zainuddin Maidin, a close associate of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad ( left ), warned that Najib's days were numbered.

Zainuddin said that while Najib's decision to maintain the Sedition Act had given him a lifeline, the writing, however, was on the wall.

 

Mahathir too had openly criticised 1MDB and reprimanded Najib over a number of his policies. He has since withdrawn his support for the beleaguered PM, seen as one of his proteges.

 

Mahathir had set tongues wagging when he recently said that many in Umno were qualified to replace Najib.

 

Over the weekend, Najib also came under attack at the Perkasa annual meet. The right-wing movement, which champions Malay rights and Islam, is widely seen as an offshoot of Umno.