Malaysia: UMNO President steps down amid mounting pressure

President of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stepped down from his post following mounting pressure from within the party, according to Malaysia-based The Star.
Malaysia: UMNO President steps down amid mounting pressure ảnh 1President of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Presidentof the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) AhmadZahid Hamidi has stepped down from his post following mounting pressurefrom within the party, according to Malaysia-based The Star.

He decided to entrust UMNOVice President Mohamad Hasan with his presidential tasks based on the struggle facing the party at thepresent, Zahid said in a statement released on late December 18.

He took over as UMNOPresident from former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after the UMNO-ledBarisan Nasional (BN) coalition suffered a stunning defeat in the generalelection in May. After the loss, Najib resigned as chairman of UMNO andthe Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition which has been in power for 61 years.

Several UMNO leaders hadopenly called for his resignation in recent days as many UMNO members have leftthe party, citing a failure in leadership behind their decision.

Zahid has also been busyin court since he was slapped with 45 charges of money laundering and breach oftrust involving the funds of welfare foundation Yayasan Akal Budi, founded in1997, of which he is the chairman.

He pleaded not guilty toall the charges and is currently free on bail. –VNA  
VNA

See more

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto answers questions from journalists on the sidelines of his official duties accompanying President Prabowo Subianto in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 20. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia concludes FTA talks with Eurasian Economic Union

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.

Malaysia's Petronas Twin Towers (Photo: AFP)

Malaysia plans sales, service tax hikes

The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.

Philippines seizes 175 million USD meth haul

Philippines seizes 175 million USD meth haul

Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The exhibition stall of Vietnam News Agency at the National Press Festival 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Cuban journalist praises revolutionary press’s role in Vietnamese history

In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.

Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Vuttikrai Leewiraphan. (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th)

Thailand engages USTR on five-point trade proposal

Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.

(Photo: Malay Mail/Firdaus Latif)

Malaysia sues Telegram over harmful content

This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.