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The Star

A Malaysian city councillor has resigned over remarks he made about the Democratic Action Party (DAP) at the recent Umno general assembly.
Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said’s resignation as a Seberang Perai city councillor took effect on Monday, according to a letter made public by state local government committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye on Wednesday.
In the letter, Zaidi apologised for his remarks during the assembly in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, where he represented Penang Umno.
He acknowledged that as a councillor, he needed to be more careful when expressing views about parties that jointly formed and administered the state government.
Zaidi said his remarks could have created a wrong perception of DAP, particularly in the context of cooperation within the Penang government.

He said he had considered the matter carefully and decided to take full responsibility for his mistake by resigning. Zaidi stressed that the decision was made voluntarily and without pressure from any party.
In his speech at the Umno assembly, Zaidi claimed DAP was uneasy over efforts to bring Malays and Muslims together because the party feared losing political power.
He claimed DAP and coalition partner People’s Justice Party (PKR) depended on each other for political power and described Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s cooperation with PKR as a political strategy that would eventually weaken DAP.
His speech, however, included praise for Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. In his resignation letter, he said Chow was a leader who cared about the people’s welfare, valued tolerance and carried out his responsibility in administering the state.
H’ng thanked Zaidi for apologising and taking responsibility by stepping down. He said Zaidi’s letter recognised that the state government led by Chow was committed to the people’s welfare, tolerance and responsible administration.
H’ng said this showed that the DAP-led Penang government had remained committed to the people’s welfare and the state’s development regardless of race, religion or background.

The resignation comes amid heightened tensions between Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) and federal partner Pakatan Harapan (PH) following a series of pointed remarks at the general assembly.
Ahmad Zahid had called for the 16th general election to be held as soon as possible and later challenged those who wanted BN out of the unity government to formally remove it and face the consequences in parliament.
He said there were two options if BN was removed from the government: seek a fresh mandate through a general election, or remove it formally and hold a no-confidence vote in the house.
His remarks prompted delegates to chant “bubar” (dissolve).
Ahmad Zahid had earlier criticised uncertainties in government policies, including the handling of the Budi95 subsidised fuel quota. He questioned the use of the term “Madani government”, saying the administration was formed as a unity government.
The remarks drew concern from PH leaders.
DAP secretary general Anthony Loke said on Monday that he would propose a PH presidential council meeting to discuss the political developments, saying some statements at the Umno assembly raised concerns over political stability and could affect public and investor confidence.
This story was first published by The Star


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In his speech at the Umno assembly, Zaidi claimed DAP feared losing power if Malays and Muslims came together


In his speech at the Umno assembly, Zaidi claimed DAP feared losing power if Malays and Muslims came together.


Malaysian councillor resigns after DAP remarks at Umno assembly

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}In his speech at the Umno assembly, Zaidi claimed DAP feared losing power if Malays and Muslims came together

In his speech at the Umno assembly, Zaidi claimed DAP feared losing power if Malays and Muslims came together