CONTROVERSIAL BLOG POSTS FUEL TALK OF UMNO SQUABBLE

(The Star) – The sudden appearance of controversial headlines and blog posts surrounding Umno’s top brass appear to point to a squabble within the party.

Although a leadership crisis has been denied, it is telling that several senior Umno leaders have begun taking sides by voicing, for example, different opinions on the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue.

A new blog post has also rehashed an old purported scandal involving Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and actress Zahida Mohamed Rafik.

The Rural and Regional Development Minister Shafie has been vocal against Prime Minister and party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when the premier was attacked by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and stung by criticism over the 1MDB controversy.

According to the post, despite vehement denials from both individuals concerned, Zahida’s allegedly lavish lifestyle does not add up with her earnings from her acting career.

It claimed that it is difficult to disprove claims that Zahida was financially sponsored by Shafie, following a “detailed investigation” of the 39-year-old actress’ businesses.

All this occured during Shafie’s tenure as Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister between March 31, 2004 and March 17, 2008, the post alleged.

“Zahida’s company, Noble Benchmark was given the opportunity to produce two short films, ‘Budi Bahasa’ and ‘1Malaysia’ under Finas.

“She was also given stage performance contracts when Shafie was the Unity, Culture and Heritage Minister between March 2008 and April 2009,” it said.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has also not escaped criticism.

Last week, Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi attacked Muhyiddin in his role as Education Minister.

The former Batu Pahat MP and cabinet minister alleged that Muhyiddin was “lazy” with regard to checking out the deplorable state of a school in Keningau, Sabah.

Attacks have also surfaced by various parties on social media, focusing on certain decisions made by Umno deputy president when he was Johor Mentri Besar.