St Regis move aimed to topple me - Zahid Hamidi

KUALA LUMPUR - There were backdoor discussions to remove me as Barisan Nasional chairman, Umno president Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi has claimed.

In his policy speech at the Umno general assembly this morning Zahid said he was aware that there was a plan to get rid of him due to Barisan Nasional's dismal showing at the 15th general elections.

" I knew there were sneaky discussions held with Perikatan Nasional, talks against me, discussions to remove me through the St Regis move," he said to thunderous applause from the floor.

Zahid said he did not want to reveal who was behind the movement nor the people who organised it, " What happened has revealed their character and their political motivations without thinking about the future of the coalition or Umno itself.

" I would just like to clarify here for these people to put an end to this political polemic, I know that these things will continue to be spinned out of proportion as we approach the party polls." he said

Zahid added he also knew about the differences in opinion regarding if the top two posts in the party should be contested.

" As a person that is confident with democratic processes I will let the delegates here decide, however I am also confident that the delegates here can see for themselves the motivations behind everything, you will be able to tell what is original what is fake," he cautioned.

The St Regis move was rumoured to be a plot by BN MPs and Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin at the height of the political gridlock after the 15th general election.

It was claimed that the main agenda of the Nov 23 meeting last year was to secure the support of BN MPs for Muhyiddin to be prime minister.

It was reported that the plot was exposed when BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir received a call from PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan asking why (BN MPs) have not arrived at the hotel.