UMNO president Zahid Hamidi has hit back at critics using the term “court cluster” to describe him and other party leaders facing graft charges.

He said these critics were from the “power cluster” and “cari makan cluster”, referring to political movers and shakers who want the party to continue working with Bersatu for the 15th general election.

“They say the ‘court cluster’ must step back in order to save Umno, but most of them are part of the ‘power cluster’. They are anti-Umno,” he wrote on Facebook.

“There is also the ‘cari makan cluster’ – also known as the ‘broker cluster’ (within Umno) – that is further inciting the situation,” he said in reference to Umno MPs and leaders who currently hold positions in the Perikatan Nasional government.

Zahid, his predecessor Najib Razak and others in Umno have been dubbed the “court cluster” because they are facing trial for corruption and money laundering, and are seen as liabilities to party.

In July 2020, Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a RM210 million fine after being convicted of graft charges involving SRC International. He still faces more charges related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Zahid is currently facing 47 charges: 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit in funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

Zahid had previously said the Umno leadership has no clusters, while the party grassroots are united despite differences of opinion.

The name-calling comes amid moves to remove Zahid from his post as Umno president. This has apparently taken on more urgency after he announced the party supreme council’s decision last week that Umno will not work with Bersatu in GE15.

However, the party will remain in the PN government until the election is called.

“The power cluster” is a group who reportedly fear losing power and the “broker cluster” is similarly those who fear losing their positions.

“The ‘power cluster’ and ‘broker cluster’ know this, that is why they are doing their best to incite (Umno grassroots).

“They are trying to poison people’s minds to reject the ‘court cluster’,” he said. – March 10, 2021.