‘Khairuddin deserves top post, not Rashid’

PPBM life member Zaeinal Abidin Omar says Khairuddin had even slept in a lock-up for the sake of the party.

(FMT) – Khairuddin Abu Hassan deserves the post of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) vice-president more than Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

The new political outfit’s lifetime member Zaeinal Abidin Omar, speaking to FMT, expressed disappointment over the appointment of the former Election Commission chairman as vice-president.

He said that most of those in the leadership line-up were new faces who had been silent when others such as Khairuddin, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin had fought hard against Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration.

“Those appointed to the top posts, I don’t see their sincerity in fighting Najib … they have never shown the courage to go against Najib.

“They are only taking advantage of PPBM’s success.”

Khairuddin, who is former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief, had been involved in the formation of PPBM since day one.

He quit the party last month to focus on his ongoing legal cases, including one under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act.

PPBM today revealed its leadership line-up, with former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir appointed as deputy president.

Rashid, former Wanita Umno Information chief Hamidah Osman as well as lawyer Abdul Rashid Asari are vice-presidents.

Zaeinal reiterated his belief that Khairuddin should have been the one given a top post.

“I have been fighting Najib with Khairuddin since the very beginning.

“We went through all sorts of challenges, faced so many threats, and put our rice bowl and our lives at risk.

“Do they (the trio in the vice-president seats) dare to do the same?

“Are they brave enough to be sleeping in the lock-up like Khairuddin had to? They’re all mute.”

He then warned the PPBM leaders to never turn their backs on Mahathir as the party’s strength was with the 91-year-old former premier.