Zahid denies seeking Dr M’s advice on running Umno

KOTA BARU: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denies having sought Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s advice on how to manage the party.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is discharging the duties of Umno president, was quoted by Bernama as saying that he and the other members of the supreme council knew how to manage the party without any assistance from anyone else.

Dr Ahmad Zahid had called on Dr Mahathir in Putrajaya earlier this month following Barisan Nasional’s defeat in the 14th General Election.

Dr Mahathir reportedly said that Dr Ahmad Zahid had sought his advice on how to manage Umno.

In Kuala Terengganu, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he was ready to declare his assets in the same spirit as veteran member Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin.

The three are among five contestants vying for the top position at the June 30 party polls.

“I have no problems with that. I have nothing to hide,” he said when asked by reporters at the state Umno Hari Raya open house.

Among those at the gathering were former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Umno supreme council member Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

Khairy had stated that he was prepared to face Tengku Razaleigh in a debate scheduled for June 29 as well as declare his assets.

As for Tengku Razaleigh, he told Astro Awani during an interview that all Umno members contesting in the party polls should declare their assets to prove they have nothing to hide.