UMNO has denied issuing a statement nominating its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as its prime ministerial candidate.

Its secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said on Twitter that the widely shared statement on social media was fake.

“It’s easy to find out whether the statement was from me or not. (Just) check all my social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok,” he tweeted.

“If it’s not there, it’s fake.”

Ahmad said the fake statement went viral after the Shah Alam High Court acquitted Zahid of all corruption charges in connection with the foreign visa system (VLN) case on Friday.

The statement said the Umno Supreme Council would meet on September 30 to discuss a proposal to appoint Zahid as the Barisan Nasional candidate for prime minister.

Umno had previously proposed the sitting prime minister, who is also the party vice-president, Ismail Sabri Yaakob as its candidate for the office ahead of a general election.

Zahid, 69, was accused of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (RM43.68 million) from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd while he was home minister to extend the firm’s contract as the operator of a one-stop centre in China and the VLN system.

He was also charged with receivingf S$1.15 million, RM3 million, €15,000 (RM68,995) and US$15,000 (RM65,854.50) from the same company in connection with his official duties.

Presiding judge Yazid Mustafa ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. – September 25, 2022.