'I did not use Najib's name to join Bersatu' - Noh Omar

SHAH ALAM - Former Selangor Umno Chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar emphasised that his entry into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) was not due to leveraging the name of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as alleged by Umno Supreme Council member, Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

Noh said the issue of Najib's Addendum directive was among the factors that disillusioned him with Umno.

"I have long been disappointed with Umno because the party remains unchanged. Additionally, in this Addendum issue, Najib was once again deceived by the drama and theatrics of his associates.

"It is impossible that Umno ministers are unaware of whether the Addendum exists or not," he said in a statement on Saturday.

Noh clarified that he did not 'jump' to join Bersatu because he was not a member of any political party before, following Najib's advice during a meeting at the court where the former prime minister asked him to be patient.

"Therefore, I am free to choose any party and I joined Bersatu because the party's cause is for the Malays, similar to the original Umno struggle which has now become UMDAP (Umno-DAP)," he said.

Noh also questioned Puad on whether Umno discussed the Addendum issue and Najib's release in the Supreme Council Meeting.

"What happened to the movement to collect signatures in support of Najib, to be presented to the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA)?

"The MT had also decided for Umno leaders to seek an audience with the YDPA to release Bossku.

"When the Supreme Council made this decision, did Puad agree or did Puad dare suggest that it should not involve the YDPA but rather Umno leaders should go meet the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Pardons Board?" he emphasised.

Thus, Noh described the Supreme Council's decision as mere 'theatrics' and questioned whether Puad also knew if the YDPA's Addendum to extend Najib's detention at home existed or not.

"Why does the Madani Government not want to confirm whether the YDPA's Addendum exists or not, given that it involves the YDPA's constitutional powers?

"I am confident that if there is a change of government, this Addendum issue will be revealed as to whether it exists or not," Noh clarified.

Commenting on Puad's allegations that he 'craved' to be a candidate for the Tanjong Karang Parliamentary seat, Noh said he had already declined to be a candidate in the 15th Selangor State Election.

"Puad says I gave a 'low class' excuse, but actually, without Puad realising, he is the low-class State Assembly Speaker.

"By convention, in the Westminster Parliament, United Kingdom or any Commonwealth Parliament, when a Member of Parliament is appointed as the Speaker of the House of Commons or a country's Speaker, they no longer interfere in partisan political issues.

"The Speaker must be neutral and impartial, not favouring any side," he said.

However, Noh added that what Puad has done was interfere in party political affairs daily with comments that were sometimes seen as funny and entertaining, making him feel he remains relevant in the political arena.

Noh also did not rule out the possibility that Puad still harbours hope of becoming a minister in the Federal Government one day.

"I’d like to ask, as the the Johor State Assembly Speaker, does Puad agree with the decision of the Kelantan State Assembly Speaker to declare a by-election in the Nenggiri State Legislative Assembly?"

Previously, Puad alleged that Noh's entry into Bersatu was using Najib's name to party-hop and to become a candidate for the Tanjong Karang Parliamentary seat.

Additionally, it was reported on Friday that Noh confirmed joining Bersatu with immediate effect after applying online without anyone knowing on Thursday.