Pressure in and outside Umno for Zahid to step down, say observers

Analysts and political observers said the party is now split three ways, echoing former secretary-general Annuar Musa.

There are those who are aligned to the Perikatan Nasional government, those who want to overthrow the current government and those who want to work with DAP and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, they said.

Zahid and former Umno president and prime minister Najib Razak are said to be allies leading the faction looking to cooperate with Anwar and DAP.

The former Barisan Nasional deputy prime minister is also facing 47 charges, including 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption, and 27 for money-laundering.

Calls are now growing from among youth leaders and the grassroots for him to step down so that a new leadership can be installed to face the next general election.