KUALA LUMPUR: A week after two influential Umno leaders left the party, veteran member Datuk Seri Syed Ali Al-Habshee has announced his resignation, effective immediately.
The Cheras Umno leader announced his resignation at a closed-door meeting with the division’s members.
Syed Ali, a former Federal Territory Umno secretary, said the decision was made for several reasons, namely to safeguard the continuity and interests of Islam and the Malay people, especially in Kuala Lumpur.
“Officially, I say that the decision was made with a heavy heart. I announce my resignation from Umno,” he said.
When contacted by the New Straits Times Press, Syed Ali said he took a long time to make the decision to leave the party after 40 years.
He said he had fought for Umno since he was 17 and had done so not for material nor personal gain.
“I had never made use of Umno and I have loved the party all this while... it was never to search for positions or posts in the party or the government,” he said.
Syed Ali stressed that the current political scenario under the Malaysia Baru era needed a realistic, well-grounded approach.
“Umno is stable, Umno will go on. I made my own decision. Umno has done much for me and I have done much for Umno,” he said.
Asked if he had been influenced by members of parliament Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, who had left the party last week, Syed Ali said he had not and asked Netizens not to speculate or spread rumours to the effect.
“My decision had nothing to do with anybody. I am not a member of parliament. I was only a division chief.”
Asked whether he made the decision because he was not satisfied or could not see eye-to-eye with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Syed Ali declined comment.
