AHMAD Maslan’s past failures as Umno secretary-general are why the party is suffering now, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said.

The former Pasir Salak MP, who has been suspended from the party for six years, made a surprise appearance at the Umno General Assembly today.

Tajuddin alleged Ahmad failed to give party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi good advice.

“Ahmad only listened to ‘certain people’ around him but failed to get the views of the party grassroots.

“He wasn’t a good adviser to the president,” Tajuddin told the media today.

Tajuddin alleged Umno grassroots were unhappy with the candidates Umno leaders chose for the GE. 

“They (grassroots) told the party but Ahmad didn’t listen.

“They wanted a local candidate but the party still went on to name an ‘outsider’.

“This prompted the grassroots to protest over the decision made, with many deciding to vote against Umno.

“Who ended up losing here?” Tajuddin asked.

Umno managed to win only 26 parliamentary seats in the GE – its worst performance since its formation.

Last June, Tajuddin was sacked from the Malay nationalist party’s Supreme Council. He was dropped as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia in July, and then suspended in October for openly criticising the party and the president. – June 9, 2023.