Umno denies Zahid not contesting in GE15

Umno dismissed a news report claiming that its president Ahmad Zahid Hamid was not planning to defend his Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat for the 15th general election (GE15).

Umno executive secretary Mohd Sumali Reduan said he never received any statement from Zahid and described the report as untrue and riddled with political propaganda.

"I have not heard of this and there is no official statement from the Umno president, I take this as political propaganda," he was quoted as saying by Umno Online.

Earlier, Sinar Harian reported that Zahid will not contest in Bagan Datuk, a seat which he had held for over four terms.

The report said that it would be either his daughter, Nurulhidayah Zahid or a “right-hand man” contesting for the seat.

The report said Zahid made the decision as a sacrifice so that issues surrounding him won't be used by opponents against the party.

It added that this move will resolve speculations related to the support given by Umno divisions to Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime minister candidate - if BN wins the election.

Last month, Shah Alam High Court acquitted Zahid of all graft charges in relation to the Foreign Visa System (VLN).

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