KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s daughter, Datuk Nurulhidayah, has warned those attempting to pit her against her father for the Bagan Datuk seat, insisting that she will ensure the Umno president defends the constituency he has held since 1995.
She said on Instagram that it is untrue Zahid will not defend Bagan Datuk in the 15th general election (GE15), and that either she or one of his close associates would replace him instead, as reported by Sinar Harian earlier today.
“Don’t pit the children against the father. It’s Friday (a holy day for Muslims), and you have sinned (by speculating on the matter).
“As his daughter, God-willing, I will always support and ensure Zahid Hamidi defends the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat,” she said.
Sinar Harian ran the speculative report this morning, which was quickly denied in a subsequent report quoting Bagan Datuk Umno 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, retains the seat.
Zahid was rumoured to be giving up a contest in GE15 as a “sacrifice” for Umno in light of the corruption allegations surrounding him and to avoid those issues from being used to attack the party.
Zahid, who has been deputy prime minister and home minister under Barisan Nasional, 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. – The Vibes, October 21, 2022
