KUALA LUMPUR – News that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will not defend the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15) has been swiftly denied by the Umno division there.
Sinar Harian ran a speculative report this morning without citing sources, saying that either Zahid’s daughter Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid or a close supporter would be fielded instead.
This was denied in a subsequent report quoting Umno Bagan Datuk deputy chief Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi.
“This has never been discussed in any meeting at the division level,” he was quoted as saying.
Khairuddin added that the division’s latest meeting was in fact focused on ensuring Zahid, 69, retained the seat.
Khairuddin said such news aimed to attack the Umno president, who is facing trial for corruption involving funds from a charity foundation, while his acquittal for another graft case involving kickbacks is pending an appeal by the prosecution.
Zahid, who has been Bagan Datuk MP since 1995, was also a deputy prime minister and home minister under Barisan Nasional. – The Vibes, October 21, 2022
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