Zahid is Umno’s saviour, Nur Jazlan tells 'rejected hero' Dr M

A senior Umno leader has come to the defence of party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after criticism by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

According to Umno supreme council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed, Zahid saved the party from being dismantled by Mahathir.

“People must understand that it takes extraordinary courage to confront Mahathir as (he) is vindictive.

“Mahathir has always been like that. Everyone must obey him… if not… you’ll get thrown out,” Jazlan said on Facebook.

Last week, Zahid was reported by the New Straits Times saying he “toppled” Mahathir as the latter wanted to de-register Umno.

Then, Mahathir, who resigned from the prime ministership in 2020, leading to the ouster of his federal government, lashed out at Zahid.

“Zahid does not need to boast and portray himself as a hero who brought me down and saved Umno.

“Zahid is not a hero. He is just someone who faced charges in court and was willing to cooperate with Umno’s arch-nemesis, the DAP, so he can become deputy prime minister to save himself from being on trial,” said the 99-year-old in a statement.

Meanwhile, Nur Jazlan recounted how Mahathir had met Zahid at the time to get the latter to dissolve Umno.

He also claimed Mahathir wanted everyone in Umno to join Bersatu.

“However, Zahid just become party president then and was against anyone who wanted to break Umno.

“So, he stood up against Mahathir and as a result, Zahid got charged in court,” the Dewan Negara deputy president alleged.

Traitor, little Napoleon

Taking potshots at Mahathir, Nur Jazlan called him a rejected leader for being cast out by his party and voters.

“He was kicked out by Muhyiddin (Yassin) and got rejected by Langkawi voters, so much so that he even lost his deposit in the previous general election.

“Mahathir got rejected by both the older and younger generations as they see him as a traitor, little Napoleon, and someone who caused divisions among the Malays,” Nur Jazlan added.

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