Umno Cleanse: Puad backs Zahid, says not personal presidential decision

SHAH ALAM - Decision to sack Umno leaders last night was not the President’s decision alone, says Umno Supreme Council working committee (MKT) member Datuk Puad Zarkashi.

He debunked claims that the decision was undemocratic as it was decided on the recommendation of the Umno Disciplinary Board.

The only difference, he said, was that the president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had brought the recommendation to the council.

He said this was why axed Umno Selangor liaison chief Tan Sri Noh Omar was confused in the meeting last night as the steering committee chairman would usually provide the recommendation the board instead.

Last night when speaking to the media, Noh had accused Zahid of making his own decisions.

“This is different when (Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) fired (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim. Tun M took it to the MKT to sack Anwar without going through the Disciplinary Board,” he said in a Facebook posting today.

Puad said Noh was sacked because he accused the party of sabotage during the 15th General Election, not because he went against the motion of not to contest for the Umno president and deputy president’s posts.

He said there were 16 reports of sabotage on Noh Omar.

As former Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin, he said: “Khairy was extreme”.

He said Khairy had been denigrating the party and president outrageously during the 15th General Election campaign, while his slander of ghost voters during the recent 2022 Umno General Assembly were malicious.

Puad also called out Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s actions as ridiculous and had turned his back on the party here.

He also said the narrative that the party would disunite was propagated and exploited by those who were unsatisfied with the party.

“The party had long been divided by those who like to go against the party’s decision.

“After Umno lost power in GE14, some leaders distanced themselves from Umno, afraid of getting involved with the Court cluster.

“They are afraid of being prosecuted for being called by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).

“They on the fence, sometimes stabbing the party in the back and now they are sacked or suspended,” he said, asking what was wrong with them sitting outside the fence once more.

Puad said getting sacked was painful but necessary and for those suspended, if you truly love the party, appeal.

“If you don’t appeal then wait for six months unless you already have other options.

“Make a choice,” he added.

Yesterday, it was announced that Khairy and Noh were sacked while Hishammuddin and several other leaders including Deputy Youth Chief Shahril Hamdan; former Umno Tebrau MP Datuk Maulizan Bujang and former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Sharif were suspended.