PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) has supported calls for Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down as Umno president and for fresh party polls in the wake of a spate of defections.

The Rembau MP agreed with and retweeted a post calling for the party leadership to conduct an extraordinary meeting to demand the president's resignation and to elect new leaders.

"Pemuda, Puteri, Wanita and the Umno Supreme Council must demand Zahid Hamidi's resignation," said Twitter user @SyedRifqi99, referring to the youth and women's wings.

"On top of that, Umno must call for an immediate EGM and have a party election to elect a new leadership.

"Only Umno members can save Umno – PPBM (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), Anwar (PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) or PAS can't save us," added @SyedRifqi99.

Responding to that tweet, Khairy wrote, "Agreed. Immediate party election".

Khairy, who is former Umno Youth chief, lost to Dr Ahmad Zahid in his contest for the party's top post in June.

On Thursday, Sabah Umno Youth also called for Dr Ahmad Zahid to step down in order for the party to progress.

Its Youth vice-chief Ghazalie Ansing said the party president no longer commanded respect from Umno leaders and members.

In October, Umno Youth had suggested that Dr Ahmad Zahid should go on leave until his court cases were settled.

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

On Friday (Dec 14), he was slapped with another criminal breach of trust charge involving RM10mil.

This is the first time in history that a serving Umno president has been hauled to court.