Puad slams Umno leader for suggesting that he join DAP

PETALING JAYA: Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has hit back at a remark suggesting that he should join DAP following his involvement in campaigning for Pakatan Harapan for the Johor state election.

Puad was one of the speakers at a campaign event at Felda Ulu Tebrau last night in support of PH candidate Maszlee Malik, where PH chairman and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was the main speaker.

Following this, Umno Supreme Council member Razlan Rafii, who is also party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s political secretary, mocked Puad and suggested that he join DAP.

Puad said such remarks reflect the narrow mindset of some Umno leaders who still rely on outdated narratives.

“They are still practising small-minded politics. Do Umno leaders think that Umno will gain Malay support by associating anyone with DAP?” he said on Facebook.

“Umno is increasingly out of touch with Gen Z and Gen Alpha voters. That is why I say Umno, which is already 80 years old, should be led by the fourth generation of Umno leaders, not recycled leaders. But Umno leaders are very stubborn.

“PH and Barisan Nasional are part of the same federal government, which I support. So, there is nothing wrong with me appearing on a PH stage.”

The former Rengit assemblyman has been openly critical of Umno since he resigned from the party on June 25, including claiming that it lacks autonomy in decision-making.

He also questioned BN’s selection of candidates for the Johor state election, including its decision to field former Bersatu assemblyman Alwiyah Talib in the Endau seat.

Puad has expressed support for PH candidate Yazid Bakri for the Rengit seat which BN is fielding Zaidi Japar to defend.