GE15: Zahid strolls down memory lane, take swipes at party traitors

SHAH ALAM – As the 15th General Election (GE15) looms closer, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has taken a jab at the traitorous leaders who ditched the Malay party following its maiden electoral defeat at the previous national poll (GE14).

In needling the turncoats Zahid remarked that it was ironic for the unfaithful leaders to not return to Umno given how the party has now shown proof of its direction; in which the supposed lack of it was cited as grounds of their exit from Umno.

“By right, they should now support Umno because the party has proven its direction in the Melaka and Johor state polls and it has also shown an even clearer direction for coming GE15.

“Which is to make a comeback and form a dominant Barisan Nasional (BN) government in safeguarding the stability and prosperity of the country,” said Zahid in a statement on Facebook.

While he did not name any names, it is believed that Zahid is referring to the traitorous seven who jumped ship to Pribumi Bersatu which was then led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The seven parliamentarians who switched camp in February 2019 were: Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid; Mersing MP Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad; Tasik Gelugor MP Datuk Shahbudin Yahaya; Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin; Sabak Bernam MP Datuk Mohamad Fasiah Mohd Fakeh; Tanah Merah MP Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz; Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

In GE14, Umno -- under BN -- only managed to secure 54 parliamentary seats which, following a series of political switcheroos, eventually whittled down to 38.