Two Johor Umno veterans, Gelang Patah Umno permanent chairperson Baharom Abdul Ghani and Kulai Umno deputy chief Tosrin Jarvanti, have quit the party today.
They both announced their decisions to quit at their respective Umno division annual meetings.
“I declare that I am no longer an Umno member during my speech as permanent chairperson at the Gelang Patah Umno delegates meeting.
“Umno now is no longer the party for Malays but has become the property of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, and cannot be salvaged any more," Baharom posted on his Facebook page.
Baharom was a founding member of the Gelang Patah Umno division, which he founded in 1994, and was an assemblyperson from 1995 to 2004.
In a video excerpt of his speech, Baharom told delegates that Umno’s leadership had refused to accept reality, and that Najib was the source of all the party’s woes.
Meanwhile, Tosrin announced his exit with a symbolic gesture of returning the Umno flag to the Kulai Umno division chief.
“This is the flag that I defended for 49 years, but today I willingly wish to return this flag back to my friend the division chief, with a message to all Umno division chiefs, to take good care of Umno for the Malays,” he said, with some delegates applauding at the end of his speech.
When contacted, Tosrin said he left the AGM immediately after handing over the flag, and that division chief Zainal Abidin Jidin did not say anything to him.
He also declined to say why he had left the party."I don't want to comment on that, I just want to leave," he told Malaysiakini.
Asked if he would join Muhyiddin Yassin's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), he replied: "God willing, in the near future I will choose which political path I will take."
Their decision to quit the party came just a day after Bersatu was given the final seal of approval by the Registrar of Societies.
Bersatu was formed as a vehicle for Umno rebels who had become disenfranchised by Najib's leadership.
The splinter party will be led by Muhyiddin as its president, and also former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its chairperson.
