PETALING JAYA: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied interfering in the ongoing party polls, citing his daughter’s failed bid for a top post in Bagan Datuk.
Zahid said he had never endorsed or prevented anyone from contesting for positions in its three wings, namely Youth, Wanita and Puteri, Harian Metro reported.
“If I wanted to push for someone to be elected, I would have made sure my daughter won, but she lost,” he said, referring to Nurul Hidayah.
Zahid said this when asked to comment on claims that those aligned to him would emerge as victors at the party polls.
Nurul Hidayah was eyeing the Wanita Umno chief post in the Bagan Datuk division. However, she lost to Zarozatin Isa by 18 votes after managing to get only 115 votes.
Nurul Hidayah has since attributed her loss to “ethical breaches”. She was, however, elected into the central executive council of the women’s wing.
Zahid also said his division had voted for a different candidate for the Wanita Umno chief although he had endorsed another person.
It was reported last month that Zahid had hinted he wanted Noraini Ahmad to be retained as Wanita Umno chief, saying the “farsighted” MP was more than qualified to defend her post.
Zahid went on to say that he considered all candidates, regardless whether they won or lost, as “his people”.
“I don’t want factions in Umno.”
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