KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — Several Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders from Umno have today criticised calls from MCA for the resignation of coalition chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Penang BN chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir told reporters at Menara Dato’ Onn in the World Trade Centre that Umno should not be disrespected as it has done a lot for coalition ally MCA.

"Do not disrespect Umno,” he said to reporters.

He added that Umno had worked hard for MCA in Penang during the 15th general elections (GE15).

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said MCA leaders should instead step down first due to their poor performance in the 15th general election.

"Because they contested 40 seats but won two in Malay areas,” he told reporters.

"Well, I think MCA is too much asking for the president to step down. Not only MCA but the others also,” added Sabah BN chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

"For me, every leader must be responsible for this.”

Earlier, MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said Ahmad Zahid should be replaced by his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, also known as Tok Mat, as chairman to lead BN.

He said the actions of the coalition’s president Ahmad Zahid clearly contradict what was decided in the meeting with the BN Supreme Council last night, referring to a letter signed off by Ahmad Zahid stating that 30 BN MPs support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th prime minister.

Others who have demanded for the Umno president’s resignation were Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin, former information chief Shahril Hamdan, Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar and Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and MIC vice-president Datuk C. Sivarraajh.

The Umno Supreme Council is meeting tonight as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reportedly requested for BN to be part of a unity government.