Why silent on graft when ‘in power’? Zahid Hamidi asks ex- EC chief

(Malay Mail Online) – Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) took a swipe at Perkasa’s Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman today for not speaking up on government corruption while in office.

In veiled remarks, he suggested the former Election Commission (EC) chairman has a hidden agenda in raising the issue now.

“Why didn’t you say it when you were in power?” asked Zahid who is also Umno vice-president.

He said Rashid, who is now Perkasa vice-president, appears to have become bolder only after leaving the civil sevice.

“It must be that he didn’t get something,” Zahid told reporters in Malay after officiating at a police conference in Cheras.

In his speech at Perkasa’s annual general meeting yesterday, Rashid accused the federal government of failing to address widespread corruption plaguing the civil service.

“The Chinese, the Indians they corrupt our leaders. That is because they are smart.”

“Now, even the Malays corrupt our leaders,” he added.

Rashid also urged Perkasa to seriously consider taking the next step and registering itself as a political entity to replace Umno, claiming the ruling Malay party has fallen short of expectations in its fight for Bumiputera rights.

“I would urge Perkasa to fortify efforts to become a political body which will rule this country.

“Once you run this country, no need to complain (to Umno and Barisan Nasional),” he said during his speech.

The Perkasa man said that although Barisan Nasional (BN) has not lost the political battlefield, the coalition is very weak.

“They have not lost, but they are ‘nyawa-nyawa ikan’ (almost dying),” he claimed.

He said he joined Perkasa without “baggage” but could tell many stories about some Umno leaders instead.

Rashid lamented how each year resolutions passed at Umno’s general assembly would not be enforced properly.