JOHOR BARU – Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan has claimed to have heard about possible lobbying by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi to become the Johor menteri besar in the event of a Barisan Nasional victory in the state polls.
Taking to Facebook, Wan Saiful suggested that Puad can bring Johor Umno closer to party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s “agenda”.
Puad is contesting the Rengit state seat in a four-corner battle in this Saturday’s election.
He is presently Umno’s Batu Pahat division chief. He previously served as MP for Batu Pahat in Johor from 2008 to 2013.
“When I was visiting Rengit recently, I heard rumours that Puad has over the last few weeks lobbied to become menteri besar to replace Datuk Hasni Mohamad in case Umno wins,” Wan Saiful said.
Hasni, the incumbent menteri besar, is defending his Benut state seat.
Wan Saiful added that Puad is said to be showing greater loyalty towards Zahid and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Maybe that is why he (Puad) was given the assent by Zahid to contest in the Rengit state constituency, although he has been longing for a parliamentary seat,” Wan Saiful added.
However, on March 4, Puad was reported in the media as rubbishing claims that he is a Najib loyalist.
Puad admitted that there are several camps in Umno but stressed that he is a follower of none.
He also suggested he had issued criticisms against Najib before.
As for claims that he is vying for a state government position, Puad said he told Hasni early on he has no interest in an executive council position. – The Vibes, March 8, 2022
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