UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied an allegation that the party’s candidates for the general election (GE) were asked to sign a letter pledging support for him and giving him the mandate to form the cabinet if Barisan Nasional (BN) wins the polls.

“That’s a lie,” he said briefly when asked to comment on the claim reported by a news portal yesterday.

Zahid, who is also BN chairman, declined to comment on speculation that Arau incumbent Shahidan Kassim would be dropped as a candidate in the GE. 

“Wait for tonight’s announcement if you want clarification on the speculation,” he added. 

Umno is scheduled to unveil its list of parliamentary candidates at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur tonight. 

The former deputy prime minister told reporters this after attending his corruption trial involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today. 

Shahidan in a Facebook post said the Arau BN operations rooms were closed last night ahead of the GE.

“Tonight is a very sad night. All BN operations rooms in the Arau parliamentary constituency have been closed and the flags taken down. First time in history,” he said.

Media reports have speculated that Shahidan and Padang Besar incumbent Zahidi Zainul Abidin are not among Umno’s candidates for the GE. – Bernama, November 1, 2022.