Many Umno members are displeased with the party's decision to suspend a state-level leader for making racist comments, said former Selangor Menteri Besar and Umno supreme council member Dr Mohd Khir Toyo today.

Khir, in a telephone interview with Malaysiakini, disclosed that the three-year suspension for Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail for calling the Malaysian Chinese community "squatters" had exacerbated fractures within Umno further.

khir toyo interview 121207 muster"Umno is already divided due to weak leadership of the party and of course the traditional Umno elements are not happy with the supreme council's decision to suspend Ahmad.

"The decision has plunged Umno into further divisions and the pressure from grassroots for the removal of the party leadership is escalating," expressed Khir.

Umno grassroots have placed the blame for the internal split squarely on party president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said Khir.

He added that the decision to suspend Ahmad has eroded Abdullah's popularity even further amongst party members.

Explaining the situation, Khir stated that although he personally did not condone Ahmad's actions, the party grassroots see the division chief as a champion of the Malay cause.

"He might have used the wrong terms but I believe that many of Umno supporters, especially the traditional ones, think Ahmad is saying the right things," said Khir.

ahmad ismail putrajaya meet pm 090908 04Ahmad had during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign uttered the controversial speech.

After increased media spotlight on the issue, the unrepentant leader defended himself despite attacks from Umno's partners like Gerakan and MCA. He upped the tempo further by asking the Chinese not to become like American Jews.

The early efforts by both president and deputy-president of Umno to placate the situation wilted by the clamour from Barisan Nasional partners and Ahmad's continuing offensives - and yesterday at the Umno supreme council meeting they decided to suspend him.

Despite the suspension, Ahmad is resolute about never apologising.

Umno must be revived

Khir feels it is high time that the party accepted a new leadership so that Umno can re-brand itself - thereby gaining trust and uniting its supporters again.

Khir said Umno was currently in "a bad shape and it needs to be revived by new leadership and idealism".

The former Selangor MB also reiterated his stand that Abdullah should step down soon for a stronger leader.

"We must study and accept our weaknesses and listen to what the grassroots have to say and to me they clearly want a leadership change. If we ignore what the supporters have to say we would be betraying the party cause.

"Umno will not be anything without the grassroots," said Khir.