INTERVIEW | Four months since the historic May 9 polls, Umno continues to be beset by challenges.

While still in its infancy as a member of the opposition, Umno has faced defeat in several state by-elections, had its former president Najib Abdul Razak hauled up to court, and has seen a slew of resignations from top party leaders – including the recent exit of two supreme council members who lost faith in the party – and with more expected to follow.

With less than a week to the Umno annual general assembly on Sept 29 and 30, all eyes are now on Najib's successor Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saddled with the unenviable task of rebuilding the party.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, however, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob maintained that he has confidence in Zahid and believes that the new president can help restore the party.

Ismail said Umno's transition from a ruling to an opposition party is not something that can be rushed, but acknowledges that some still feel that progress is too slow.

He likened the process to entering a 5km race, and said progress cannot be judged by when the race started, or by the shortest time...