Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said has resigned as a Seberang Perai city councillor after apologising for remarks he made about DAP at the party’s recent general assembly.
Zaidi’s resignation took effect on Sept 14, according to a letter made public by Penang local government committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye on Wednesday.
In the letter, Zaidi said he had reviewed his speech at the Umno general assembly and realised he needed to be more cautious when expressing views about political parties that jointly form and administer the Penang state government.
“I wish to express, with a full sense of responsibility, my regret and apologise for the speech I delivered.
“I accept that this is an important lesson for me: individual views and positions must be expressed with due consideration, particularly when one also holds responsibilities within a shared state administration.
“After giving this matter deep consideration and as a sign that I am taking full responsibility for this mistake, I hereby officially resign as an MBSP councillor, effective Sept 14,” he said.
Zaidi stressed that his decision was made voluntarily and without pressure from any party.
He said he would leave it to Umno to propose a suitable replacement to fill the vacant councillor position.
Zaidi also acknowledged that the Umno general assembly should not have been used to express views that could create perceptions or misunderstandings about DAP, particularly in relation to cooperation and the administration of Penang.
He said Umno and DAP had their own histories, principles, political approaches and ideologies developed over many years, adding that building mutual understanding and finding common ground would require time, wisdom, maturity and mutual respect.
In his speech at the Umno general assembly on Sept 12, Zaidi had criticised Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s cooperation with PKR, claiming the strategy could weaken Umno and eventually affect its coalition partner DAP.
He also described DAP as Umno’s “main enemy” and claimed the party could not be directly defeated because it had its own voter support.
H’ng thanked Zaidi for apologising and taking responsibility by relinquishing his councillor position. He said Zaidi’s resignation letter also recognised the Penang government’s commitment to public welfare, tolerance and responsible administration.
