AHMAD Zahid Hamidi’s supporters in the federal constituency he represents, Bagan Datuk, said his multiple corruption charges are “a personal matter” and would vote for him to be their MP again, The Malaysian Insight found.

Those spoken to said this is because the Umno president has served his constituents well in the seat where he was born, and has defended as MP since 1995.

Graft charges against him have “nothing to do” with how he takes care of his constituency, said 72-year-old voter M. Subramaniam, who said he would vote for Zahid again if he defends the seat.

“If he wants to contest the seat again, it must mean he will be able to do a lot more. If he didn’t help the constituency, we would not have supported him.”

Subramaniam said Zahid’s corruption charges – 87 in total, in separate cases of misappropriating and laundering funds from Yayasan Akalbudi, and for receiving kickbacks as home minister to extend a company’s contract in a foreign visa system – were “political attacks”.

“They have nothing to do with voters and is Zahid’s personal issue. Zahid has been attacked a lot, but he has also done a lot of good, and we like that.

“The court cases are different, that’s his personal problem and we can’t interfere, but we can tell you about the good he has done.

“Yes, the court cases are a fact, but this constituency has received development because of him,” said the lorry driver.

Locals attributed several projects in the area to Zahid, who throughout his lengthy representation of the constituency, has also been defence and home minister and deputy prime minister with long-time ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, until it lost federal power in the 2018 general election.

Some of these projects were educational institutions, including fully residential boarding schools, and a newly completed sports complex. Locals also attributed the area’s good roads to Zahid.

There is also the Tuminah Hamidi floating mosque currently being constructed on the banks of Sungai Perak, a new RM38 million landmark to make Bagan Datuk locals proud.

There’s also a new bridge across Sungai Perak connecting Bagan Datuk to Sitiawan. Lorry driver Subramaniam said the bridge joins the main route to Manjung and further north, and this will further accelerate the constituency’s progress.

As far as Subramaniam is concerned, the only thing left for Zahid to do is to create more job opportunities in Bagan Datuk.

Another two older voters, S. Appalanaidu, 64, and Abdul Aziz Mohd Radzi, 69, both support Zahid despite his ongoing court cases.

“I will vote for Zahid again because he has done a lot here. His court cases should not prevent him from continuing to serve Bagan Datuk. Regardless of race, he has helped everyone,” said Appalanaidu, who works in a palm oil plantation company.

Food stall operator Aziz also said the charges against Zahid are a separate matter from his service to constituents.

Even if he misappropriated funds from Yayasan Akalbudi and used them for development in Bagan Datuk, Aziz said, “it is not wrong”.

“That’s just my opinion,” he said at his stall in Hutan Melintang.

Aziz also said he was disappointed when other Umno leaders such Tajuddin Abdul Rahman openly clashed with Zahid last week.

This was after Zahid sacked Tajuddin from the Umno Supreme Council, and the latter went on to spill the beans about Zahid supporting Anwar Ibrahim for prime minister in 2020 while telling Umno not to work with Anwar and DAP.

“(Tajuddin’s attacks) tarnished Umno’s image. It’s an internal story and there was no need to bring it up. We have to stay united, we have to guard Umno’s image,” said the party loyalist.

Another local, Koh Eng Soon, 42, said he would choose his elected representative based on his or her ability to look after Bagan Datuk. On that basis, he said Zahid’s performance so far is a good reason to elect him again in the next general election.

“I don’t follow news about his corruption trial. It’s a different matter from what voters in Bagan Datuk need.

“He takes care of this area well. If there is an election, I will vote for him. I see progress in this area and there are many projects. It means he really does the work,” said Koh, who runs a guest house.

Zahid is now in his sixth term as Bagan Datuk MP after retaining the seat in the 2018 general election against Pakatan Harapan and PAS candidates.

While facing his court trials, the Umno president is also pushing Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to hold a snap general election instead of waiting until the end of the term next year.

Political observers said early polls may benefit Umno and give Zahid and other party leaders facing trials like Najib Razak, a chance to avoid jail. – July 6, 2022.