Kedah Umno leader resigns after GE15 debacle

Othman Aziz yesterday announced his resignation as deputy chairman of the Kedah Umno liaison committee, taking moral responsibility for the defeat of Barisan Nasional (BN), especially Umno, in Kedah in the 15th general election (GE15).

Othman, who lost the race for the Jerlun parliamentary seat, also urged Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign due to the poor performance of Umno and BN.

"We have tried our best, and we accept that this is an absolute rejection of the Malays towards Umno at this time, so of course, we feel we need a revamp or overhaul in terms of Umno leadership.

"So I urge Zahid as Umno president to think openly and with a big heart, and resign from his post," he told reporters in Alor Setar yesterday.

Othman said the voters, especially the Malays, had given a clear sign in GE15 that they did not like the style and manner of the Umno leaders steering the party.

In GE15, BN lost all 14 of the parliamentary seats contested in Kedah.