KUALA LUMPUR – If an audio recording purportedly of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim released on social media today is found to be authentic, the Umno disciplinary board must take action against the president for allegedly going against the party’s stand.
Perlis Umno chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who was mentioned briefly in the recorded phone conversation that went viral this morning, said the indication from the speaker said to be Zahid that he would work with PKR president Anwar is extremely shocking.
In the clip, “Zahid” is heard saying his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly on March 28 was only “tactical”, apparently in reference to his remarks that there will be “no Anwar, no DAP and no Bersatu” as Umno heads into the next general election only with Barisan Nasional.
“Anwar” is then heard saying it is okay, adding that there is still work to be done with Umno’s Supreme Council – probably referring to convincing it to work with PKR.
Commenting on the matter, Shahidan told The Vibes that Zahid must immediately clarify the authenticity of the recording.
“If it is true that Zahid has been making external negotiations, then he has gone against the party’s decision. I am still doubtful if the recording is authentic; only Zahid can confirm this.
‘And if it is true, I ask that Umno’s central committee and Supreme Council make a stand on this. The disciplinary board must also investigate and act.
“Personally, it was not appropriate what ‘Zahid’ did. To have an agreement with another party is just shocking. I am a loyal supporter of the president, but what he did is against the party’s stand.”
In the conversation, “Anwar” said it would be good if one of Umno’s ministers resigned from the Perikatan Nasional cabinet, but noted that none has the courage to do so. “Zahid” replied by calling Umno ministers “cowards”.
The Umno No. 1 also touched on a speech by Shahidan, whom he said was jeered at several times during his speech at the Umno assembly for speaking out against the party’s motion to sever ties with PN.
It is learnt that the video of his speech – along with others critical of the leadership – was not streamed to the public or media during the meeting.
Shahidan said it saddens him to not have been given fair room to air his views.
He stressed that he never, at any time, rejected outright Umno’s stand on breaking away from PN.
He said what shocked him the most was that Umno permanent chairman Tan Sri Badruddin Amiruldin made no attempt to calm the jeering crowd.
“All I said was that Umno must leave room for negotiations to be opened (with PN), and that we can’t shut the door. Then, I was booed. Even before I started speaking, I was already jeered at.
“It was perplexing that the permanent chairman did nothing about it. I felt like this whole thing was pre-planned, that I would be made the victim.”
In the audio recording, “Zahid” and “Anwar” exchanged pleasantries, with the latter saying it was his first time following the Umno assembly in full in the last 22 years, and describing the former’s speech as good.
The opposition leader also seemed to congratulate “Zahid”, saying he was proud of the latter over the speech given, to which “Zahid” said it was Anwar who taught him.
The two are known to be old friends, going back to the late 1990s when Anwar was Umno deputy president and Zahid, the party’s Youth chief. – The Vibes, April 7, 2021
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