[UPDATED] Many to leave Umno for PKR after purge: Zahidi

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Umno Padang Besar division chief Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin is set to join PKR, claiming that many others will do likewise following a massive purge from the nationalist Malay party.

The former deputy communications and multimedia minister told Sinar Harian that among those set to leave include party office-bearers at the national level.

He also said he is planning to submit his membership form to join PKR on February 4.

“There will be some 100 members of the Padang Besar Umno division who plan to join (submit membership forms) PKR this February 4. It is expected that many (Umno) branches in Padang Besar will be dissolved,” he was quoted as saying.

Zahidi, who was among those who had been dropped as a candidate in the 15th general election (GE15) by Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said there were also Umno members who would be joining Perikatan Nasional.

“This is all because they don’t agree with the president’s approach,” he said.

After being dropped for GE15, Zahidi, who had been the Umno Padang Besar division chief, defended the federal seat he had held for two terms as an independent candidate, which caused him to automatically lose his Umno membership.

The Vibes is in the midst of contacting Zahidi for further comments.

On Friday, Umno conducted a purge of dissenters, expelling a total of 42 members with immediate effect, purportedly for contesting as an independent candidate in the recent general election or under a different party banner, and involvement in assisting rival parties during the general election.

High-profile former leaders who were sacked were former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar. Those who received six-year suspensions include Sembrong MP and former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan. – The Vibes, January 30, 2023