Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein becoming the most senior party leader to call for a change in Umno leadership.

However, he also urged party members not to act emotionally and to maintain decorum.

“I agree with the views of members and the people that Umno is in need of a new leadership, and it should be done in an orderly fashion so that the party can be restored with the dignity and principles that it upholds.

“To the beloved Umno members, do not act emotionally. We are doing this for our future and our unity. I have already conveyed this to all the leaders including those in the party wings.

“I urge and plea to all parties to be patient and allow space for us to do this immediately. Believe it, that I will do the best for the beloved party and country. May Allah preserve Umno,” he said in a statement today.

Hishammuddin is currently the third most senior leader in Umno, after his cousin and president Najib Abdul Razak, and acting deputy president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Sembrong MP’s statement came amid calls from within BN ranks for Najib to resign – particularly from Umno Youth – following the disastrous showing at the 14th general election.

Najib had said that we will be taking a break to spend time with his family starting today, during which he will make a decision regarding his positions as Umno president and BN chairperson.

To date, Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar has called for reform in the party, while Kedah, Terengganu, and Penang Umno youth, among others, have asked Najib to step down.

Calls for his resignation also camed from BN component parties, including from Gerakan youth chief Tan Keng Liang.

“The very least Najib could have done was to tender his resignation as BN chairperson. We need a fresh start and you are still delaying it. Don’t bring us down further!

“If Najib still refuses to step down and give way to a credible person to take lead of BN, then I guess we may need a new coalition to be credible opposition in Malaysia," Tan said on Twitter this morning.

“Malaysia still needs a credible opposition as a check and balance. It can be BN or other coalition.

"I’m prepared to take on the role as opposition. We must be credible and constructive. I have done that in Kedah in 2008. Let’s move on,” he added.

Singapore's Channel News Asia, meanwhile, had quoted Umno number two Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying Najib will chair the Umno supreme council meeting today, after which the latter is expected to announce his decision soon.

When asked if Najib would be staying on, Zahid replied in the negative.