KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed that the contents of former attorney-general Tommy Thomas’ controversial memoir show that the graft charges levelled against him were politically motivated.
Zahid, a former deputy prime minister, said it is “clear” that the allegations were meant to shame, humiliate, pull down, and demolish not only him individually, but also the party he leads.
“That is clear. Even though it is not said literally, it is implied in his (Thomas’) writing,” Zahid said during a livestreamed interview with news portal MalaysiaPost.
“And certainly, these allegations are political allegations,” he added.
Zahid was asked in the interview about being Umno president while not holding any key appointments in government, despite the party being part of the Perikatan Nasional administration.
“Ideally, (ruling) party leaders should be in the government, especially if the party is one that is supporting the government. In terms of political logic, they (party leaders) must be in the government,” he said.
He said the reality in his situation, however, is that allegations have been purposely slapped against him by past leaders and are continued by current leaders.
He said he has been forced to face these and clear his name.
Zahid said Thomas should file a police report against him if his remarks are untrue.
“If I am wrong, please make a police report and investigate me,” he said.
“But don’t forget, please also file police reports against the (Umno) women, youth, and Puteri wings, and other Umno leaders from around the country who made reports against the book.”
Zahid is facing some 40 charges of receiving gratification in the implementation of Malaysia’s foreign visa system (VLN). The hearing for the cases will begin on April 12 at the high court.
According to Bernama, the 67-year-old leader had pleaded not guilty to 33 charges of receiving bribes amounting to some RM42.7 million.
The Umno president was alleged to have received the inducement from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd in his capacity as a civil servant, then as the home minister, to extend the company’s contract as the operator of the One-Stop Centre in China and the VLN system.
The alleged inducement was also meant to maintain the agreement with the company to supply VLN integrated system paraphernalia.
He was charged with committing the offences at Seri Satria, Precinct 16, Putrajaya and in Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018. – The Vibes, February 21, 2021
