SENIOR UMNO leader Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has announced his immediate resignation from the party, claiming that UMNO Johor has lost its autonomy and is no longer free to make its own political decisions.
The shock departure comes just weeks before the Johor state election and less than 24 hours after the former Johor State Assembly Speaker publicly hinted at dissatisfaction with developments within the state party leadership.
In a strongly worded statement posted on Facebook, the UMNO Supreme Council member said his decision would allow him to openly criticise the party without being accused of undermining it from within.
"Without hesitation, I announce my resignation from UMNO with immediate effect from today, 25 June 2026. Therefore, UMNO no longer needs to go through the trouble of expelling me. It also makes it easier for me to hold differing views without being accused of betraying the party.
"Now I am free to criticise UMNO, a platform that I love and respect for the Malays and the people of Malaysia," he said.
Mohd Puad rejected suggestions that his resignation was motivated by personal interests, arguing that he was leaving at a time when the party appeared politically strong ahead of the state election.
"What is the point of my leaving when UMNO is seen as strong enough to contest all 56 seats on its own? I am leaving UMNO at a time when KJ (Khairy Jamaluddin), Hishammuddin (Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein), and Noh Omar (Tan Sri Noh Omar) are returning to UMNO after witnessing the party's resurgence. So, who has personal interests? Them or me?
"The main reason I am leaving UMNO is that UMNO Johor is no longer free to make decisions. UMNO Johor is controlled by the Palace in making decisions," he claimed.
The former Rengit assemblyman further alleged that Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi had personally informed him that the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly was carried out following instructions from the Palace.
"One clear piece of evidence is that the Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz, himself, admitted this to me during a meeting in Saujana last Sunday.
"He informed me that the Palace had instructed him to dissolve the Johor State Assembly on 1 June 2026.
"There are many other examples where Onn Hafiz merely follows orders. This has turned UMNO Johor into a constrained puppet. I need to show 'political courage' by exposing this wrongdoing before it becomes more serious," he alleged.
Mohd Puad acknowledged that his decision would attract criticism and possible repercussions but insisted he was prepared to face the consequences.
"I am aware that I will be criticised and insulted. My safety may even be threatened. But armed with 'political courage', I am prepared to fight under any circumstances.
"I do not want UMNO to be led by 'Political Cowards', resulting in BN candidates being mocked as recycled figures, lacking the aspirations of young people and being mediocre.
"I place my trust in Allah. You are the protector beyond compare," he said.
The resignation follows comments made by Mohd Puad a day earlier after Barisan Nasional unveiled its candidates for the Johor state election.
At the time, he suggested that there was something fundamentally wrong within UMNO Johor after reviewing the coalition's candidate line-up.
"The latest developments in UMNO Johor are worrying. I will not look back even though I am only a small individual," he said in a Facebook posting on Tuesday.
His departure is likely to intensify scrutiny of Johor UMNO's internal dynamics as the party prepares for the state election campaign, particularly given his longstanding influence in Batu Pahat, where he previously served as UMNO division chief and represented Rengit in the state assembly. - June 25, 2026
