I wasn’t told about removal as elections director, says Tajuddin

 

In happier times, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (right) receiving his letter of appointment as Umno elections director from party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last November. (FB Friends Of Tajuddin pic)

PETALING JAYA: Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who was removed as Umno elections director today, said he was not informed of the move to replace him with Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

Speaking to FMT, he claimed that he only found out about his removal when a family member told him about it.

“My son-in-law read about it online and informed me,” Tajuddin said, adding that he was also not aware of why the party had removed him from the post.

“I hope it was not due to the leaked audio of me speaking my mind on party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.”

The Pasir Salak MP said he was only voicing his views and that people should be free to speak their mind at closed door meetings.

“Can’t people have different views? Instead of just saying ‘yes, yes, yes’. I gave my views and it is up to them to decide on the views given,” he said.

Tajuddin added that if the leaked audio was the reason for his removal, he felt sorry for the party leadership as it would indicate that “differences in opinion are not tolerated”.

In the 15-minute leaked audio, Tajuddin was heard saying it was not the right time for Umno to withdraw its support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He was also heard saying that the party had agreed to withdraw support for the Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government, not just for Muhyiddin, and that Umno needed another year to be ready for the next general election (GE15).

Earlier today, Umno issued a statement announcing that Mohamad, who is better known as Tok Mat, would take over the role of Umno elections director.

Tajuddin told FMT that he was relieved at being removed from the position, to which he was appointed in November last year.

“It is very good. It relieves me of a burden,” he said, adding that he wished Mohamad well.

According to Tajuddin, being the Umno elections director was not an easy role as he had to use his own money to organise meetings and help divisions organise meetings and activities, such as delivering food baskets, among other things.

“All this while I have been working so hard. I have been supporting the party using my own money. No money from the party,” he said, adding that he was also organising meetings related to Muafakat Nasional, the partnership between Umno and PAS. - FMT