GE15: Zahid should not be leading negotiations, says Onn Hafiz

JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should not be leading negotiations with any parties on behalf of Barisan Nasional and Umno, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic).

Onn Hafiz said the bad image of the Umno president and Barisan chairman was the main reason the coalition suffered such a devastating defeat in the 15th General Election (GE15).

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"While Umno members wait for the noble move of the president to immediately resign, he is instead, if media reports are true, busy negotiating with Pakatan Harapan.

"He led us to the battlefield and caused us to suffer devastating defeat (and) should not be negotiating with any parties on behalf of the party," he said in a statement Monday (Nov 21).

He added that Ahmad Zahid did not have the power to make decisions on behalf of Umno and Barisan.

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"He cannot (claim) the party's mandate without agreement from the Barisan and Umno supreme councils.

"As such, any decision the president makes for the party without going through the right process is invalid in terms of the party constitution.

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"Umno's final decision is to not work with (Pakatan chairman) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP. Let us hold on to our dignity and principles despite being tested with defeat," he said.

Earlier, it was reported by a news portal that Pakatan and Barisan leaders were expected to meet in Kuala Lumpur.

Quoting sources, it claimed that the meeting was expected to take place at 10am at Seri Pacific Hotel.