Puad threatened to quit Umno if son not chosen for Rengit seat, says Asyraf

PETALING JAYA: Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has alleged that Puad Zarkashi threatened to quit the party and publicly criticise it if his son was not chosen to replace him for the Rengit seat in the upcoming Johor election.

Zaidi Japar was named Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Rengit seat when the coalition unveiled its lineup for the July 11 polls yesterday.

Puad, an Umno Supreme Council member, today said he was resigning from the party, claiming that Johor Umno lacked autonomy in decision-making.

In response, Asyraf said Puad had written to him at length, warning that he would leave Umno and “attack the party” if his son was not given due consideration as the candidate for the seat that Puad held from March 2022, until the Johor state assembly was dissolved earlier this month.

Asyraf further alleged that it was not the first time Puad had threatened to leave Umno over candidacy issues, claiming that Puad had issued a similar ultimatum ahead of the 2013 general election (GE13) when he sought to defend his Batu Pahat parliamentary seat.

“While it is true that his son is young and has great potential to be groomed and elevated as a leader, the party takes many factors into account when selecting candidates for an election,” Asyraf said.

“A veteran leader like him should not pressure the party by insisting that his son be chosen to succeed him as the candidate for the Rengit seat.

“Umno has had enough of being threatened in this manner. Umno is not a hereditary family party that must prioritise relatives and clan members for leadership positions.”

Pointing out that Umno had helped shape Puad’s political career, Asyraf said it was inappropriate for him to turn against the party simply because his wishes had not been accommodated.

In a strongly worded statement earlier today, Puad alleged that Johor Umno was not free to make its own decisions, claiming that Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi had admitted as much to him. Onn Hafiz is also the Johor Umno chairman.

Puad, the former Johor state assembly speaker, said he was leaving Umno “without a heavy heart” and that his departure would free him from accusations of betraying the party whenever he criticised it.

Last week, Puad, 69, said he will not defend the Rengit state seat in the Johor election on July 11, citing his age.