‘I told Zahid to dissolve Umno when we met’
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did tell Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to dissolve the party.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, however, did not address claims that the latter was asked to join PPBM.
“I told him to dissolve the party because there is no longer an Umno,” Dr Mahathir said in a video interview loaded on the party’s Facebook page here yesterday.
“It’s a fact that there is no longer an Umno, there is just a registered body but the basis of its struggle no longer exists.
“So what’s the point of these members remaining in a party that has abandoned its cause and prioritises cash, or cash is king.”
Dr Mahathir said under the circumstances, Umno had to be dissolved, and if the members wanted to join other parties, they had to abandon the traits that caused the party that was held in such high regard to fall to a level that it was looked upon in disgust by all Malaysians regardless of race.
“Because of this they lost. Before this Umno never lost. It only lost because its leaders deviated and prioritised cash over the struggle,” he said while referring to how the 70-year-old party lost its hold on federal power in the 14th General Election.
Zahid, who is facing 45 charges related to criminal breach of trust, graft and under the AntiMoney Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, claimed that he had met Dr Mahathir recently with his deputy president and three Umno vicepresidents.
Asked if that meant he was personally called by Dr Mahathir to jump ship and join PPBM, Zahid measured his words stating that he had to be “careful” with his statement.
“I met him personally with my deputy president and three vicepresidents.
“The message was very loud and clear. We must jump ship and join Bersatu. (That) we must dissolve Unmo.
“That was very loud and clear.” He theorised that had he made the decision to jump ship, he would surely not face the charges lumped against him.