Malay politics is about becoming PM, says Zahid

(Malaysiakini) – Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has claimed that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin promised unity in the name of Malay-Islam, but the truth is that he had an ulterior motive.

Zahid, in a statement posted on his Facebook page today, claimed Muhyiddin had wanted his support in becoming the prime minister to replace Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had resigned back in 2020.

“However, he did not say how his proxies also worked hard to persuade non-Pakatan Harapan elected representatives, including from Umno, to support him as prime minister.

“He promised an honest and sincere unity in the name of Malays and Islam, but apparently there was udang di sebalik batu (ulterior motive) by having power as prime minister,” Zahid said.

The Bagan Datuk MP said this in response to Muhyiddin, who, during campaigning for the Johor state election, claimed that he had never intended to become prime minister, but was given support by Zahid and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Zahid, however, refused to comment further on the former political figure of the Harapan government because there was a more important agenda on hand.

“The important agenda is that we work with Johoreans to ensure stability, prosperity and progress are restored in Johor on March 12.

“However, the Perikatan Nasional chairperson, who also happens to be the Bersatu president, has not stopped ‘dropping’ my name,” Zahid said.

Muhyiddin’s attempt to weaken Umno

Zahid also claimed that Muhyiddin wanted to strengthen his party’s position and his post by attempting to weaken Umno through “stealing” and “buying” Umno members.

“Maybe that is why he is so angry with me, the Umno leadership and the grassroots members, for being able to catch the tricks up his sleeves.

“Let’s think for a moment whether someone who claims he never intended to be prime minister would choose to openly ‘bribe’ MPs on television as a desperate attempt to remain as prime minister?

“Would someone who does not aspire to be prime minister mention in his last words to his officials in Putrajaya that he would come back as prime minister?

“Would someone who never wanted to be prime minister mention in his political speeches during Johor election campaign the possibility of him becoming prime minister again?” Zahid questioned.