Umno withdrew support for Dr M when he proposed a unity govt, says Zahid

Umno no longer supported Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as premier in February when he proposed a unity government which included Pakatan Harapan parties, says its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He took to Facebook to explain the context of the viral picture which showed Dr Mahathir seated with Perikatan Nasional leaders in a meeting that allegedly took place on Feb 23.

“The picture that is going viral on social media is a meeting between the party presidents to propose that Dr Mahathir set up a unity government without DAP, PKR and Amanah.

“That was the common point of agreement for us to start our discussions.

“However, we withdrew our support when Dr Mahathir later suggested a unity government comprising all parties, which went against our earlier agreement,” he said on Sunday (May 31).

The individual who originally uploaded the viral picture had claimed that all the prominent Malay leaders were present and that Dr Mahathir had wanted them to unite once again.

Ahmad Zahid also debunked speculation that he was showing court documents to Dr Mahathir, which some people have claimed that he had done in order to prove his innocence.

“I attended the meeting bringing statutory declarations, and not court documents, as claimed by some.

“I attended with the mandate of the members and leadership of Umno, and no more than that.

“Only those who do not think would believe such lies. Would I, in a meeting with that many attendees, discuss personal matters when the main issue is regarding the change in government?

“We have just fasted for a month, but already the lies have started to circulate,” he said.

During the political turmoil in February, Barisan MPs and defecting Pakatan MPs met at Sheraton Hotel to support the Perikatan pact.

The week-long crisis saw Dr Mahathir’s resignation as prime minister and Bersatu chairman, and the collapse of the Pakatan administration, which was replaced by Perikatan.

The Star