JOHOR POLLS | Former Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi has joined Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the campaign trail for Pakatan Harapan Puteri Wangsa candidate Maszlee Malik.
Speaking at a campaign event in Felda Ulu Tiram last night, Puad said his appearance on Harapan’s stage was a personal show of support rather than a political realignment.
“I came as an old friend.
“I came onto the Harapan stage because Harapan is part of the unity government, and BN is also part of the unity government. So there is nothing wrong with me appearing on this stage.
“Besides, I am no longer an Umno member,” Puad said, adding that he agreed to attend the “youth dialogue” after being persuaded by Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal and after speaking with Anwar.
“I came because of my personal support for Maszlee, candidate number three,” he stressed.
Maszlee is facing a multicornered fight for Puteri Wangsa against Muda’s Rashifa Al-Junied, whose party president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz is the seat’s incumbent, BN’s Teow Chia Ling, Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Nicholas Vincent Paul and independent candidate Wang Wee Siong.
Steadfast political courage
Acknowledging the backlash his decision would attract, Puad said he had already faced criticism after posting an infographic earlier yesterday expressing support for Harapan’s candidate in Rengit.
“I know that after I step down from this stage, many people will attack, insult and condemn me. But this is nothing new.
“When I posted an infographic expressing my support for the Harapan candidate in Rengit, I received a barrage of criticism for betraying Umno’s struggle.
“But to me, what matters now is that I will continue to show this political courage so that we can fight for a more balanced and independent political landscape in Johor,” the Johor state assembly speaker added.
Met by reporters later, Puad reiterated that “people like Maszlee” need to be in the legislative assembly, because “we need brains”.
No new party yet
The veteran politician also dismissed speculation that he would join PKR or any other political party following his departure from Umno.
“No. Right now, I have a special mission I need to focus on.
“As I mentioned earlier, it is about creating a more balanced and independent political landscape. That is my position.
“I can offer criticism and express my views based on my conscience. I am free to speak my mind because I am not tied to any party. I think that is the best position for me, at least for now,” he added.
When announcing his immediate resignation from Umno over a week ago, Puad triggered over 150 police reports from Umno divisions after he claimed there was “royal interference” in Johor Umno’s decision on candidates.
Puad last night said he had already recovered his mobile phone after it was confiscated by police and was prepared to face any further action.
“Things like this are something I have long been prepared for. That is why I now use the term ‘political courage’,” he added.
On June 25, Johor police chief Ad Rahaman Arsad reportedly said Puad is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for statements conducive to public mischief, Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for the improper use of network facilities. - FMT
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