Zahid accuses rival of hijacking reform proposals

Umno presidential candidate Ahmad Zahid Hamidi accused one of his rivals of hijacking the party's reform proposals for his own campaign.

The former deputy premier said he entrusted “someone” with the task of revamping and transforming Umno.

"I said (to him), 'I would like you to chair a special task force to revamp and transform Umno and BN'.

"He gave me an outline in 30 days. But he used it in his campaign that 'if he becomes the president' (he would do these things).

"I was the one who instructed him to do it and he claims it as his own," he told a closed-door Hari Raya event organised by Federal Territories Umno this evening.

Zahid, who is Umno acting president, said the party's transformation should be agreed to by the grassroots during the annual general assembly instead of being decided by an individual.

"We don't want the president to be autocratic, we have the supreme council. The annual general assembly has the biggest say.

"I don't want to name anyone," he added.

Although he did not mention names, it was apparent that he was referring to Khairy Jamaluddin, who is among the five vying for the Umno president's post.

On May 15, Zahid had instructed Khairy to set up a task force to revive BN and Umno.

[More to follow] - Mkini