Ex-Bersatu VP Hamidah says she told Najib about Kit Siang's Bersatu idea

IPOH: Former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) vice-president Datuk Hamidah Osman says she is the person who told Datuk Seri Najib Razak about Lim Kit Siang's suggestion to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to set up Bersatu.

Hamidah claimed that she was present during a meeting called by Dr Mahathir at Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana then, which was also attended by several other leaders after the People's Declaration movement failed to have any impact.

"Myself and Lim were there and in the meeting, Lim himself suggested to Dr Mahathir to form another Malay party like Umno to get 10% votes from Umno.

"If this is successful, Pakatan Harapan can form the Government," she said during a press conference on Monday (July 15).

"If anyone asks who tipped Najib about it, I was the one," she added.

Hamidah was commenting on DAP leader Lim's rebuke against Najib's remark on the matter.

The claim was made by Najib in his speech to Umno delegates at its division meeting in Kedah recently.

The former prime minister had said he was told by an individual who attended the meeting that Lim had proposed to Dr Mahathir to form a new Malay party.

Hamidah also said she would not be surprised if her confession was denied by Lim.

"I just felt compelled and responsible to explain Lim's denial on the matter," she added.

She said it was not good for leaders to do something and then to deny it, make a retraction and apologise.

"This is not a culture we want in this country. Like me, I admit it and take up responsibility," she said.

"Like people say, if we dare to do something then we must be brave enough to face the consequences," she added.