Zahid "must be stopped" - Tawfik Ismail

SHAH ALAM - Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi “must be stopped”, says Gerakan Independent founder Tawfik Ismail.

“Zahid as the leader of the largest Malay political movement cannot be the spokesman of the Malays with his attitude and (his) “tidak apalah” (never mind) attitude, and must be stopped,” he told Sinar Daily.

The former Sungai Benut MP said this when asked why he chose to contest in Bagan Datuk for the 15th General Election (GE15).

He said thus far, no other Malay leader had the courage to fight him head-on for principles.

“My late uncle Sulaiman (Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman) fought and defeated Datuk Onn Jaafar and my grandfather Datuk Seth Said defied the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim for Malay dignity and integrity.

“It is my time to do what is necessary so my children and grandchildren will have a model to look to in the future.

“My grandfather Datuk Abdul Rahman led the Orang Tujuh Muar (seven Muar men) so I am following in their footsteps to do the right thing,” he said.

Tawfik said as a Malay of some pedigree, he had a personal stake in the history of this country as both of his maternal and paternal grandfathers, father and uncles sacrificed themselves for the respectability and honour of not just the Malays but for all loyal Malaysians.

“I cannot stand to see corruption and bad “adab” (manners) being seen as “normal” Malay traits,” he added.

Tawfik is the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Dr Ismail Rahman, who served during the Tun Abdul Razak's era.

Tawfik was an MP under Barisan Nasional in the 1980s.

He said he would contest for GE15 with the theme “Public against Corruption” and expressed hope that the public would say no to corruption or corrupted leaders in the upcoming polls.

"I cannot stand corruption and poor manner being perceived as common Malay traits,” he added.