KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth has requested party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) to go on leave until his court cases are settled.

“We are requesting him to take leave and rest, but that does not mean we are saying he is guilty or that he must let go of his post as party president.

“Our principle is that as long as he has not been found guilty, it is not fair of us to ask him to step down,” said the movement’s chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Last Friday, Dr Ahmad Zahid claimed trial to 45 charges of money laundering involving RM72mil and criminal breach of trust and accepting bribes involving RM42mil.

This is the first time a serving Umno president has been hauled up to court to face criminal charges.

Dr Asyraf said it would be unfair for Dr Ahmad Zahid to be burdened with the many duties as party president while facing court cases in the current political situation.

“Umno Youth sympathises with Dr Ahmad Zahid and is saddened with the many charges being levelled against our president.

“We want him to be given a just trial in the court and not a trial by media. However, it seems he has already been sentenced before he has been put on trial.

“We want the rule of ‘presumption of innocence’ and rule of law to be applied,” said Dr Asyraf.

He said Umno Youth would convey this request to Dr Ahmad Zahid himself during their retreat with him this weekend.

On whether Dr Ahmad Zahid can issue statements as Umno president while on leave, Dr Asyraf said it had yet to be decided.

“We will leave it to the party’s supreme council to decide if anyone should take Dr Ahmad Zahid’s place should the president decide to go on leave,” he said.

On Umno Youth meeting yesterday, Dr Asyraf said the members discussed its opposition to the possible ratification of the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by the Malaysian government.

He said the government should take into account the views of the people, the Malay Rulers and the rights of the bumiputra as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.