‘Zahid should also share blame for Barisan defeat’

IPOH: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should not pin the blame for the general election defeat on “one person”, Perak MCA Youth chief Ting Tai Fook said.

Ting said the Bagan Datuk MP should also share the blame for Barisan Nasional’s failure to retain Putrajaya in the May 9 polls.

“There are various issues pertaining to foreign workers, visa fee, safety and others that were not properly managed.

“I’ve also tried to call Dr Ahmad Zahid’s secretary more than 30 times to resolve the country’s citizenship issue. In the end, I had to deal with the National Registration Department myself,” he said.

“It’s hard to get an appointment with Datuk Seri, including his secretary, who is always busy,” said Ting in a post on his Facebook page on Saturday.

“You then blame MCA for wanting more seats but not doing anything. I can also blame you for not doing anything, causing Barisan and Umno to lose,” he fired back at the former deputy prime minister.

Dr Ahmad Zahid was reported to have said that among the reasons Barisan lost in the elections were due to Pakatan Harapan’s attacks on “one person” for the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal and the rising cost of living due to the Goods and Services Tax.

The acting Barisan chairman told Astro Awani in an interview that Pakatan’s tactic had worked.

Ting also claimed that a lot of people, including the police, government officers and the Home Ministry staff, disliked Dr Ahmad Zahid because his speeches always carried a threat.

“He should remain respectful, loyal and not be influenced by his emotions.

“If Umno’s defeat is caused by someone, it’s not politics. It’s ‘Paleolithic’ thinking and it does not make sense,” he said, adding that Dr Ahmad Zahid should have also stepped down.