Ahmad Tajuddin Quits

Datuk Ahmad Tajuddin Sulaiman has resigned as Pahang Umno liaision committee secretary with immediate effect.

He is taking full responsibility for the party's poor performance in the recent general election.

"Being an extension of the MT network, let me be the one to start the ball rolling," he said.

Ahmad, who is the Paya Besar Umno chief, said he faxed his resignation letter to the Menteri Besar's office at 11am Tuesday.

However, he had not received any response from Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob about the matter since then, he told a press conference in Kuantan.

Continue with the Bernama report.

He said the step (resigning) was in line with his stand that all Umno Supreme Council (MT) members should take responsibility for the party's poor performance in the March 8 election and resign accordingly.

"Being an extension of the MT network, let me be the one to start the ball rolling," he said.

Ahmad Tajuddin, who has been Pahang Umno liaison committee secretary since 1999, said his stepping down was not due to pressure from any party and neither was it because he was not chosen as a candidate in the election this time.

"Collective leadership means taking collective responsibility. The Prime Minister alone should not be held accountable (for the poor election performance), the MT must also shoulder the blame," he said.

On Friday, he stirred a controversy by calling for the MT members to step down because of the election performance so that new leaders could take over the helm of the party.

However, Monday, Adnan said no action would be taken against Ahmad Tajuddin for making such a call because it was made in his personal capacity and did not represent Pahang Umno.

Ahmad Tajuddin also said that he received more than 1,800 SMSes in support of his proposal (for the MT members to step down) including from heads of government departments.

Asked whether his division would be holding an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to push for a similar one at the national level, he said there were no such plans at the moment but urged to MT to call for one.