Can we criticise each other now, Puad asks 'muted' PM over Shamsul's claims

The controversy surrounding former PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin’s claim about his narrow defeat in Bagan Datuk during the previous national polls seems unabating as more Umno leaders mount criticism.

This time around, however, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi took umbrage over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s silence over the matter.

The Umno leader even suggested that Anwar’s silence could be construed as approval for government coalition partners to criticise one another.

“Shamsul is the prime minister’s senior political secretary and Anwar is still quiet about the former’s allegations.

“It seems like the prime minister himself has given the green light for parties within the coalition government to criticise one another,” he said on Facebook today.

In a recent podcast, Shamsul claimed that he did not challenge the results of the Bagan Datuk contest, which he lost to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi by a wafer-thin majority of 348 votes, because of the “bigger picture”.

Although disappointed, Shamsul said he let the issue rest following a conversation with Anwar at 2am.

Shamsul claimed that after receiving assurance that Pakatan Harapan and BN were forming a coalition government, he followed the “general’s orders”.

Criticisms from all sides

Shamsul’s statement drew brickbats from Umno leaders, PAS, and even PKR itself.

Umno MP Azalina Othman Said told Shamsul to respect the democratic process and avoid making statements that could fuel negative speculation and undermine public confidence.

Yesterday, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said it was inappropriate for anyone to give their own twist to the events immediately following the 2022 general election.

Earlier today, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh urged Shamsul to file a complaint with the Election Commission instead of making cheap speculations.

On that note, Puad said even in the event of a recount, it did not mean Shamsul would have won Bagan Datuk, which could be seen in other constituencies where the incumbent retained their seat despite winning with narrower majority.

“But what is his motive in bringing up this ludicrous story now? Shamsul should have prioritised morality before the prime minister’s position.

“It’s better for him to lodge a police report. Umno won’t lose anything as while Bagan Datuk will remain with Umno, it’s the prime minister’s image that is taking a beating,” the Johor state assembly speaker added.

‘Why so angry?’

In a related development, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim took Shamsul’s critics to task and asked why the former PKR leader’s claims seemed unbelievable to them.

Elaborating, Zaid said Shamsul clearly remembered his conversation with Anwar, with the Tambun MP requesting Shamsul not to proceed with the recount.

“Why is this unbelievable? It makes sense that if Anwar wanted to form a government, he would need Zahid to win.

“And why would Shamsul tell the world a lie two years after the event, which is no longer reversible?

“The high probability is that he is telling the truth. He wanted the world to know he had made a sacrifice. There is nothing dishonourable about that,” he said on Facebook today.

Zaid then urged Shamsul’s critics to verify the latter’s claims instead of being angry with him.

“The call can be traced, and the nature of the conversations can be established.

“There must be witnesses who were present at the material time. It was election night, and no one sleeps,” he added.

Don't act like a hero, just fight in next GE, Akmal tells Shamsul

Electoral watchdog wants PM's aide to clarify Bagan Datuk claims

'Inappropriate': PKR sec-gen responds to Shamsul revelation

Bagan Datuk 'murder' shocks PAS, death of democracy mourned

Saving Zahid? Umno fumes over PM's aide behind-the-scenes disclosure