The Malaysian Insight

A DEFENSIVE Ahmad Zahid Hamidi brushed off claims about Umno’s weakened state and his own position when approached by reporters today.

The Umno president was asked about Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s comments at a forum yesterday, where the prime minister said “Umno is gone” because it had no future when its members continued to defend corrupt leaders.

“Umno is around, don’t you see? (Umno ada, nampak kah?)” Zahid asked reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Asked if would go on leave as Umno president while facing charges for money laundering and criminal breach of trust, he replied: “What right do you have to ask this question?”

Dr Mahathir, speaking at a forum organised by Sinar Harian yesterday, also said Umno had corrupt leaders at different levels.

He said Umno members were “deluded” as they kept on defending former prime minister Najib Razak and accepting his claim that RM2.6 billion channelled into his bank accounts was a “donation” from Saudi Arabia, not 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Zahid, who was Najib’s deputy and former home minister, responded to Dr Mahathir’s comments with “As he likes, lah. (Suka hati dia lah)”.

Last week, Zahid was charged with 45 counts of money laundering and criminal breach of trust for allegedly receiving kickbacks in exchange for approving projects under the Home Ministry, and for misappropriating money belonging to the charity foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi, of which he is a trustee.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa yesterday said the party’s Supreme Council would discuss Zahid’s position as president at its next meeting, noting that the party did not have rules requiring its office-bearers facing court cases to go on leave in the opposition. He said such rules only applied to the party if it was in power. – October 23, 2018.