Umno using Zaid to split Kajang vote, PKR says

(MM) – PKR suggested today that Umno could be using Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as a vote spoiler in the coming Kajang by-election, and challenged the ruling party to field its own candidate instead for the contest.

PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution, who issued the challenge at a press conference here, reminded Umno of how it had replaced Barisan Nasional (BN) ally MCA in the Kuantan and Wangsa Maju seats during the last federal polls.

“The question is, is Umno behind the Zaid Ibrahim’s bid to contest?

“I want to challenge the Umno Youth chief to field a candidate from Umno, don’t suport Zaid Ibrahim, don’t send him, Umno should go to the ground,” Saifuddin said.

Political maverick Zaid, the former Umno minister who later defected to PKR, announced last Friday that he would join the Kajang fray as an independent candidate, throwing a spanner in the works for the opposition party.

Zaid had flayed PKR and de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week for their speculated plan to remove Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and suggested that such a move should take place in the legislative assembly.