GE15: Candidates asked to sign letters pledging allegiance to Barisan, not to Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: It is untrue that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had demanded that Barisan Nasional candidates sign a letter giving the Unmo president the mandate to choose who would be in the cabinet if the coalition wins the 15th General Election, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

"The Cabinet is not formed by the party president.

"Most importantly, we have to win. If we don't win and can't form the government, how are we supposed to form a cabinet?" Hishammuddin said when met by reporters at the World Trade Centre KL here on Tuesday (Nov 1).

He said the surat watikah (endorsement letter) signed by Barisan candidates was merely to "show commitment to the party when nominated as candidates.

"It comes with a responsibility and a duty," he said after the Barisan candidates announcement event here.

A news portal reported on Monday (Oct 31), quoting a source, that Ahmad Zahid handed Umno candidates their endorsement letters to contest in GE15, on condition that they sign an allegiance pledge to the Umno president.

Ahmad Zahid has since denied the allegations.

Hishammuddin also declined to comment on MIC's absence at the event, which most coalition party leaders attended.

"You have to ask them. I don't entertain rumours," said Hishammuddin.

It is learnt that the MIC central working committee will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday (Nov 2) morning to discuss the party's future.