Now Johor Umno branch chiefs want Najib out
Pressure continues to pile on Umno president Najib Abdul Razak with 81 more branch chiefs from eight Johor Umno divisions calling for his resignation.
The group’s spokesperson, Bandar Pulai Jaya 2 branch chief Zairuddin Hamid urged Najib to resign for damaging the party.
“The Umno president needs to step down because he has caused a lot of damage.
“Stop damaging Umno. Hold party elections immediately. It must not be postponed any longer,” he said at a press conference at the Skudai Sports Centre in Johor Bahru.
The Johor branch chiefs join others from five other states who have expressed distate for Najib's leadership, amid allegations of corruption.
Najib, who is also prime minister, denied using public funds for private gains.
Zairuddin said he is confident that the eight divisions represented tonight represent the majority view of the southern state's 26 Umno divisions.
"I believe the majority are with us. Only eight divisions are presented tonight, perhaps because of location (of this press conference)," he said.
It is also home turf of deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, who was sacked as deputy prime minister following his criticism on 1MDB in July.
Najib's cousin and party vice president Hishammuddin Hussein is also a Johor Umno leader.
Asked of the next step in pressuring Najib to resign, Zairuddin said it is still in planning stages.
He believes more Umno branches nationwide will come forward against Najib.
Last month 13 Umno branches in Telok Kemang, Negri Sembilan started a trend by calling for the party president's resignation.
This was followed by representatives of 20 branches in Sepang, Selangor and dozens more from five states over the weekend.
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