Mustapa Mohamed should also step down Jeli MP after making his exit from Umno, former Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Rafii said today.

“What Tok Pa has done today is to betray the party’s trust. He spoke of rejuvenation, whereas he is old; he has been a party leader for a long time, and then he wants to contest for division chief and supreme council member.

“If you have dignity, please resign as Jeli MP, as a dignified and principled person,” he said in a statement, referring to Mustapa by his nickname.

Razlan said this in immediate response to Mustapa's resignation from Umno.

The former minister said he made the decision as Umno was veering away from the trajectory of inclusivity and moderation he believes the party should take. 

'Is PAS the problem?'

Separately, Umno Youth exco member Bastien Onn questioned Mustapa’s reasons for leaving, especially with the party's annual general assembly just a week away.

“If Tok Pa sees cooperation with PAS as a problem, he should explain this through party channels, not take rash actions like this.

“PAS is a dominant party in the east coast, so what wrong with Umno cooperating with them, just as Umno had cooperated with MyPPP within the BN framework? Cooperation between PAS and Umno is like having PAS join BN,” he said in a statement.

Umno supreme council member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, meanwhile, that Mustapa’s resignation should be accepted with an open heart, since he had contributed to the party for 40 years.

He also said he hopes Mustapa would avoid hurting those who are still loyal to the party.

“Umno is the struggle, only those who are firm and resolute will succeed. We, as successors, will have to be strong because we have never been in the opposition before.

"We, the new generation, have to move and think like the opposition to strengthen Umno. What is important is the party and not the individual. Leaders come and go. May we continue in our struggles,” he added.

Likewise, Umno Puteri chief Zahida Zarik Khan called Mustapa’s resignation shocking and disappointing.

She urged members to respect the former supreme council member's decision, but to close ranks and continue with the party’s struggles.

'Political protection'

Mustapa’s departure leaves Umno with 50 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat from the 54 it had after the 14th general election.

He won in Jeli with 6,647-vote majority in GE14. He also garnered the most number of votes in his bid to sit on the Umno supreme council in June.

In his statement, Razlan (photo) said there had long been rumours that many MPs had met with “certain groups” to seek “political protection,” and warned that such MPs and state assemblypersons should resign as well.

“They are all traitors to the cause of the Malays and of Umno. This is the voice of the Umno grassroots that has never lost faith in the party’s policies.

“Leaders come and go but not the party’s cause. If the leader is deficient, we can change from within,” he said.

First of many?

Separately, Kelantan Bersatu Youth chief Asran Alias welcomed Mustapa’s resignation, and expressed confidence that this would be first of many exits from Kelantan Umno.

Although Mustapa’s announcement did not indicate his future political direction – including whether he would join Pakatan Harapan – Asran said Mustapha’s resignation would strengthen the ruling coalition in the long run.

“His 20-over years of experience in government is welcomed to assist Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

“The announcement would change the national and state political landscape.

"Once again, the Jeli and Kelantan Bersatu Youth wish to congratulate Mustapa upon the announcement,” he said in a statement.