DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang today scoffed at suggestions he was meddling with Umno’s internal elections, pointing out that the number of votes secured by the party in the recent general election was less than the party’s total membership.

In a statement today, Lim said that the allegation that was levelled at him by Umno information chief Annuar Musa was reflective of the “hallucinations” suffered by most of the party’s leaders.

As a result of these “hallucinations,” Umno “old guards” like Annuar had allowed the party to destroy itself.

“Umno claims to have a total membership of 3.6 million members, but the total votes polled by Umno candidates came only to 2.5 million voters.

“Umno has now followed the footsteps of MCA, securing less votes than total party membership strength,” he said.

Yesterday, Annuar told reporters that Lim should stay out of Umno’s affairs.

“Keep your mouth shut and do not try to interfere with Umno’s internal affairs,” he said.

This was in apparent response to Lim’s call for Umno leaders to speak up against the alleged wrongdoings by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, and the Umno habit of fanning racial and religious sentiments.

Annuar is currently eyeing the Umno deputy presidency and has a history of trading barbs with Lim.

Last year, he organised an essay contest on Lim’s 'racism', offering a total of RM50,000 in prize money.

In his statement, Lim also assured Annuar that he is incapable of dictating Pakatan Harapan, let alone Umno.

“No, Annuar, I am not dominating or directing any other political leader or political party!

“Umno is doing quite well on its own steam, with Najib’s 1MDB scandal and Annuar’s Mara scandal in the sea of kleptocracy in Malaysia – and Umno’s brand of toxic politics of race, religion, hate, fear and lies under Najib to polarise and further divide plural Malaysia,” he said.