Dr Mahathir threatened me to dissolve Umno or risk consequences: Zahid
Party president repeats claim that charges against him based on blackmail by former Pakatan PM
(The Vibes) – Repeating his claim that the criminal charges against him are a form of political persecution, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today alleged that he faced “threats’’ from former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who demanded that Umno be dissolved, the high court heard today.
Zahid, who is president of Umno, claimed that Dr Mahathir had also “threatened” him, telling him to make the leap to the latter’s then party Bersatu or risk “consequences”.
Zahid was testifying in his own defence against 47 charges involving criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi.
“At that time, I went to meet with Dr Mahathir in my capacity as president of Umno, as a few people had told me that he wanted to meet me.
“When I met him, he asked me to dissolve the party and jump over to his party or risk the consequences.
“I believe the criminal charges against me are based on these threats,” he said during re-examination by his lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal.
