PETALING JAYA: Amidst heightening political tension, the Umno president has reiterated calls for its MPs to leave Perikatan Nasional, citing the government's failure in managing the pandemic.

       Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who directed his message to Umno MPs who are friendly with Perikatan, said that it is the duty and responsibility of every lawmaker to be a representative of the people.

       "They shouldn't be representatives to those who failed to take care of the people.

       "It is also our duty as MPs from Umno to always side with the people and prioritise the people," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 11).

       Ahmad Zahid said it is time for Umno MPs to prove to the people that they are lawmakers that are willing to stand through tough times with the rakyat.

       "They shouldn't stand by the failure where more than 10,000 Malaysians have died and more than 19,000 infections are reported on a daily basis.

       "Malaysia is now one of the worst countries in the world in managing the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

       Ahmad Zahid also pointed out that Malaysians who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic are also Umno members and supporters themselves.

       "The same goes to Umno voters in our respective areas. We know that many rakyat including Umno members and voters who aren't able to work, end up poorer and have gone bankrupt."

       Ahmad Zahid said Umno MPs must prove to the people that they are lawmakers that prioritise the rakyat first.

       "It is easy to prove this, which is leaving the failed Perikatan government and returning to the original struggles of Umno."