KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has revealed attempts to pit him against party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying he chose to remain loyal to Umno and refused to entertain efforts to sow division within its leadership.
The deputy president said there had been persistent attempts to create friction between him and Zahid.
“There are people trying to pit me against Datuk Seri (Ahmad Zahid). They say all sorts of things about him to provoke division.
“But I choose to close my eyes to it and calm my heart so that I remain with the party,” he said, drawing applause from party leaders and members.
The Foreign Minister said this in his speech at Umno’s 80th-anniversary convention here on Saturday (May 2).
Mohamad said that at the age of 70, he was no longer driven by personal ambition but by a desire to contribute to the party and the country.
“I am speaking today on my birthday, at the age of 70. I’ve got nothing to lose.
“I am no longer talking about my career, but about giving back to the party and the nation,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid and Mohamad have led Umno since 2018, following the party’s loss of federal power in the 14th General Election.
Mohamad stressed that unity within the party was critical if Umno is to regain its dominant position.
“A divided party will be easily manipulated and exploited by vested interests, both from within and outside.
“It will draw us into political manoeuvres that gradually sideline and diminish our role,” he said.
He warned members against internal sabotage, urging them to reject any attempts to incite conflict.
“There must be no elements trying to sow discord and pit us against one another,” he said.
