Umno is now plagued by a group that is more interested in holding positions and obtaining material gains for their personal interests, says former senator Mohammad Ezam Mohd Nor.

These happenings were what spurred Ezam to leave the party, Sinar Harian reported today.

“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), the response (to me leaving Umno) is positive. The present position in Umno has spurred my belief on my decision to leave the party, which is already spoilt in terms of its leadership values.

“Just look at their reaction, for in their minds it is only about making personal gains. The main issue is the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and corruption, but they do not want to discuss about it.

“Hence, it is not surprising for Umno's longest-serving president Dr Mahathir Mohamad deciding to leave Umno,” Ezam told Sinar Harian when commenting on his own decision to leave Umno.

The former PKR Youth chief said he has yet to determine on his political direction, but hinted that it would depend on the reaction from friends and family.

Ezam refused to comment on whether there was truth that some PKR leaders wanted him to re-join the party.

Use of OSA also angered Ezam

He said the use of the OSA to prevent public access to the full Auditor-General’s Report on 1MDB to the Public Accounts Committee also angered him and caused his dejection with the government.

“I was looking forward to the PAC's full report for further details on the 1MDB. This is a big case and people have the right to know what happened. I was also charged, tried and imprisoned under the OSA.

“Hence, I do not want to see the OSA being abused to protect the corrupt,” Ezam said.

Meanwhile, Berita Daily quoted Ezam as saying that Umno's main problem is that it can no longer tolerate constructive criticism.

Ezam said Umno has deviated from the real issues at hand and that this is the problem with the party today.

“It deviates from the real issues and pays people to spread slander. The issue is not about Ezam… it’s the OSA. Abusing OSA to protect the corrupt in the 1MDB case,” he said as a reason for him leaving Umno, and added that this issue involved the future of the country and the people.

“Umno and the government must be answerable to this,” Ezam said in response to Department of Special Affairs (Jasa) representative Lokman Nor Adam, who claimed Ezam's decision to quit Umno was due to his personal interest, since his future in the party looked bleak.