Former Gopeng Wanita Umno chief Hamidah Osman claimed yesterday that there were attempts to prevent her from speaking up, particularly on her criticisms of the party.

Speaking at a forum in Ipoh last night, the former Sungai Rapat assemblyperson did not reveal further details on the type of offer made.

"Given a choice between the party's leaders or the party, I will choose the party. But if it is between the party and the country, I will prioritise the country's interest, rather than the party's.

"I accept what has happened to me (her sacking from Umno) and I am willing to put aside my own interest because of my worry about what is happening today, and what could happen in the future," Hamidah is quoted as saying in today’s Sinar Harian .

The 'Wacana Perdana Selamatkan Malaysia' forum was held at a hotel in Ipoh and among those on the panel was PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad.

Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak announced Hamidah's sacking from the party on Nov 24 last year, following her open call for his resignation.

Since then, Hamidah has, on numerous occasions, appeared in events together with Najib's chief critics within Umno, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

On Dec 23 last year, it was reported that the High Court in Ipoh sealed off Hamidah's belongings at her house in Kampung Tersusun on Jalan Gopeng, Batu Gajah, after she failed to pay RM200,000 in damages in a defamation suit filed by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad.