Son’s candidacy issue may have triggered Puad’s exit, says Ahmad Maslan

JOHOR BAHRU – The claim by former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi that Umno Johor had become a “yes-man” and “puppet” is believed to have stemmed from his disappointment after his wish for his son to be nominated as a candidate representing Barisan Nasional (BN) for the Rengit state seat was not fulfilled.

This was revealed by Johor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan in a Facebook post on Thursday, in response to Puad’s statement announcing his departure from Umno and criticising the party leadership in the state.

Ahmad said he found it difficult to rationally understand Puad’s decision to blame others over his departure from Umno.

“I know he may be disappointed because his request for his son to be made a BN candidate to replace him in the Rengit, Batu Pahat state seat was not fulfilled.

“Several parties who know the actual situation have informed me about this and there is no reason for them to fabricate such a story,” he said.

He added that he was informed that Puad’s son, who is 29 years old, was only appointed as an Umno Youth Wing committee member in Batu Pahat last year, rather than being elected.

“I agree that young people should be given opportunities in the party, but that opportunity does not necessarily have to be given to Puad’s son.

“Politics is a marathon race of 42.2 kilometres, not a 100-metre sprint,” he said.

He said he also prayed that Puad’s son would remain resilient and loyal in fighting within Umno and attempt to contest higher positions in the party before being considered as a candidate in the future.

In the same post, Ahmad claimed that it was not the first time Puad had done something unusual ahead of elections.

“Many know this is not the first time you (Puad) have done something strange before an election.

“Nevertheless, all the best in your struggle, but do so with proper decorum.

“I apologise for having to share this so that they understand the real situation,” he said.

Earlier, Puad announced his immediate resignation from Umno, thus ending his long-standing membership in the party.

In a public statement on his Facebook page Thursday morning, he said the decision was made without any coercion or heavy consideration, but rather as a personal stance he had decided on.

He added that the main reason for leaving the party was his claim that Umno Johor was no longer free to make decisions and alleged that it was being controlled in its decision-making process.