ONLY the suicidal remain in Umno, said former finance minister Daim Zainuddin during a midday dialogue session in Parit Yusuf, Johor, today.

Daim, who was sacked from Umno with his former cabinet colleague Rafidah Aziz for throwing their support behind opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan, felt it was a blessing in disguise.  

“Today I heard that Rafidah Aziz and I were sacked. Thank God for that. Obviously, we cannot be with them. We have to be on the side that is right and sincere and that will fight for the people and the country’s future,” he said.

“If we pick the right path, everyone will support us. We cannot support them (Umno) if they want to bring us down the road of damnation. That’s why many left the party, or ‘U-turned’, as they call it. We can’t be committing suicide.

“They want us to jump into the river with them but those with brains will ‘U-turn’.”

The 80-year-old, who now walks with the aid of a cane, showed he had not lost his touch for grassroots politics.

Instead of sitting away from the crowd, he got up and moved to a plastic chair to the front of the 100-odd crowd who had gathered to hear him speak.

“If we want the people’s votes, we must come to the voters and sit with them,” he joked.

Although he had left politics in 2001, he seemed to enjoy himself and often laughed with the crowd whenever he cracked a joke.

On a serious note, Daim poured scorn on a statement by Wanita Barisan Nasional head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who had said that he and Rafidah were simply jealous of caretaker prime minister and Umno president Najib Razak’s success.

“What success? He has only succeeded at telling the world we are a nation of thieves.

“The only success BN has now is making our money, KLCC, and everything else disappear,” said Daim.

In recent days, Rafidah and Daim have come out to campaign for PH.

He said that although he was nicknamed “Diam” (quiet) he could not keep quiet anymore as the country was in trouble.

He also hit out at religious scholars who were getting involved in politics.

“Why are the religious judges getting involved in politics? They should only help people get on the straight path and not be in politics.

“This is a contest between PH and BN. If I were to say BN didn’t do certain things, are they going to call me a munafiq (hypocrite)?”

It was reported that syariah judges were seen campaigning for caretaker minister Jamil Khir Baharom in Jerai.

Daim asked his audience to end Umno’s rule.

“It’s true many countries have the goods and services tax too, but people don’t complain there because there is free education, healthcare, and all sorts of aid. The taxes collected are returned to the people.

“But the government today takes our money and yet cuts the budget for healthcare.

“This really is the time to vote BN out. Maybe then they will learn how to take care of people better.” – May 5, 2018.