[UPDATED] Second bombshell: Tok Mat led push to topple Zahid as Umno head, says Tajuddin

PETALING JAYA – Former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has disclosed that there was an internal movement to topple Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the party’s “big boss”.

The embattled lawmaker revealed that the movement was led by party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, more commonly known as Tok Mat, who colluded with Zahid’s predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak to organise a meeting in May 2020.

“We made a memorandum, asking Zahid to step down in a proper manner for the sake of Umno.

“The meeting was held in May 2020 at my house. Tok Mat was there, Najib was there, and (Datuk Seri Mohamed) Khaled Nordin was also there. Many were present.

“We concluded it’s better for him (Zahid) to step down,” he said, while showing press members an image of a group of Umno leaders sitting in his living room.

He offered some advice to Zahid, saying the party president should focus on his ongoing cases, rather than positions of power. 

“There are a lot of cases. He doesn’t have the capability to care about others. It’s better (for him) to focus on his personal problems. Don’t burden Umno with his personal problems.”

For Tajuddin, it has been a long time since Zahid had the ability to lead the party. 

“He lasted around five to six months, and then we had a gathering with some top leaders, including ‘Bossku’ (a moniker given to Najib). We concluded it’s better for him to step down.”

In making the bombshell announcement, Tajuddin claimed the movement involved 130 out of 191 division chiefs who wanted Zahid to step down from his position in 2020.

However, he revealed that the plan was not realised after Mohamad bailed.

Tajuddin, who was recently dismissed as a Supreme Council member, alleged that Mohamad was intimidated by Zahid.

“Tok Mat agreed, Najib agreed. Why did it not happen? Because Tok Mat, the leader, backed out.”

As for Najib, he said, the former prime minister had other “grander” plans in mind – to dethrone Zahid from his Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman position.

“Bossku initially agreed to help me to gather support from party leaders for the memorandum, which was a good thing since he has many followers. So, we decided for Bossku to call his followers to support our movement.

“When he called his supporters for a session, where we listened to speeches, the message changed. They wanted to ask for Bossku to be made BN chairman, instead of calling for Zahid to resign. I am telling you the true story here.”

When asked about the change in tone of the meeting, he said Najib kept mum, but it was apparent that the former prime minister was delighted to have support to be appointed BN chairman.

‘Zahid a liability to Umno’

Although the plan fell through, Tajuddin called on his party boss to resign, claiming that Zahid is a liability to the party’s survival in the upcoming general election.

He offered some advice to the Umno president, saying that he should focus on his ongoing cases, rather than positions of power.

“There are a lot of cases. He doesn’t have the capability to care about others. It’s better (for him) to focus on his personal problems. Don’t burden Umno with his personal problems.”

In the past, he said, Umno leaders who were facing court cases would step down voluntarily but that is not the case for Zahid.

“It is time for him. If he loves the party and its struggles, let go of the position.”  – The Vibes, June 27, 2022