Lokman chides Zahid for being 'weak' for wanting to work with Dr M

Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam.

PETALING JAYA: Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam has slammed party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for allegedly wanting to cooperate with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In apparent disagreement with such a move, Lokman described Zahid as "weak".

"I am very ashamed today because I have a president who is weak and has no principles.

"Zahid suddenly appeared in the Perhimpunan Muafakat Nasional Umno meeting committee Monday (Feb 3) that was chaired by (Umno supreme council member) Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and gave four reasons why he wanted Umno to work with Dr Mahathir," Lokman said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

This follows an viral audio clip allegedly of Zahid asking to form a new cooperation with Dr Mahathir.

Lokman reminded Zahid of the resolution passed in the previous Umno general assembly that Muafakat Nasional – the alliance between Umno and PAS – would not accept the formation of a government through a "back door".

"Although the back and front doors are wide open, we will still use the front door.

"We will form a government based on the principles of democracy in line with the Federal Constitution.

"Ahmad Zahid's speech was debated and accepted by the Umno general assembly unanimously.

"Any efforts to establish a 'back door government', with any coalition before the 15th General Election must get the approval from the grassroots through a special general assembly.

"Zahid's act is clearly against party discipline and sidelined the voices of the grassroots members," added Lokman.

The Star has reached out to Zahid, who has yet to respond to Lokman's statement.

At present, Barisan has 41 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, comprising 38 from Umno, two from MCA and one from MIC.