UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was aware opposition lawmakers had met with Dr Mahathir Mohamad last Tuesday to pledge their support for the prime minister to serve out his term in office.

Zahid said the Umno members, including former party vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, who attended the meeting did not speak for the party.

“I know about the meeting. But those from Umno who attended did not represent the party,” he told The Malaysian Insight today.

He had no further comment.

Apart from Hishamuddin, among the opposition leaders at the meeting were PAS vice-president Samsuri Ahmad Mokhtar, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Gabungan Parti Sarawak whip Fadillah Yusof. The attendees are believed to have pledged their support for Dr Mahathir to complete his five-year term as PM.

However, Dr Mahathir, when asked about the meeting, said he did not wish to serve a full term and that he would hand over power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim at some point.

Hishammuddin, meanwhile, said the opposition MPs met with Dr Mahathir to find out if the country was stable.

The Sembrong MP said there was nothing unusual about Tuesday’s meeting and that there was nothing to prevent any opposition legislator from meeting the prime minister.

“There was nothing unique about the discussion. The meeting was to move forward and think up ways to ensure the country is stable, strengthen the economy and ensure unity among the races is maintained  

“There is no reason why the opposition cannot meet with the head of government,” he told reporters after opening the Sembrong Umno division Youth, Women and Puteri meetings today.

Hishammuddin said he did not have an ulterior motive for attending, as some of his Umno colleagues had speculated.

“Whatever meetings I attend are for the good of the country, the people and religion. That is my belief and people should not deny my desire to look ahead constructively.”

The former Umno vice-president said details of the meeting would be made known if need be.

“Avoid sensationalising the issue as it will only trigger speculation. Speculation will only lead to conspiracy theories

Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos said Hishamuddin appeared to be looking out for himself and not the party by attending the meeting.

“The Supreme Council has already said any negotiation with Pakatan Harapan must be done by the party president. 

“To me all these people doing things like this are doing it to save themselves so that they will escape criminal charges like those that have been levelled at Najib, Zahid and Tengku Adnan,” he said. – August 3, 2019.