Umno not in position to be proud - Nazri defends Zahid over meeting Dr M

Critics had often accused former tourism and culture minister Nazri Abdul Aziz of being arrogant and crude.

However, the Umno leader, who was known for not mincing words, is now emphasising the need to be humble.

The Padang Rengas MP raised this when commenting on Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's criticism of the party's acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Razaleigh had claimed that if he was the acting Umno president, he would not “crawl” to seek Mahathir's advice.

“No. It's okay. I mean Umno and BN lost, so it's okay. If Mahathir called him, go and see him. Nothing wrong (with that). They are not enemies, they are all Malaysians,” Nazri told Malaysiakini.

The former minister also pointed out that Zahid did not “crawl” before Mahathir.

“He walked there nicely, he didn't crawl,” he said, laughing.

“Whoever wants to see us […] you know, we are not in a position to be so proud… we must be humble. I think it's okay. I support Zahid seeing (Mahathir),” he added.

Responding to another question, Nazri said it was fine if Zahid had sought Mahathir's advice on managing Umno.

“But (seeking Mahathir's) advice to dissolve Umno, that one Zahid cannot (do),” he added.

Mahathir had led Umno for more than two decades. He quit the party in 2016 for the second time – his first was in 2008 after a fallout with his successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - after locking horns with then-president Najib Abdul Razak.

The 92-year-old politician later formed Bersatu and spearheaded Pakatan Harapan to oust Umno and BN from power in the May 9 general election.

Zahid had posted his June 7 meeting with Mahathir on his Facebook page with the message, “May this meeting bring benefit to all.” - Mkini