PETALING JAYA: Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has announced his resignation from Umno, insisting the decision was not driven by self-interest but by concerns over what he described as external interference in Johor Umno's affairs.
In a statement Thursday (June 25), the former Johor state assembly speaker said he was leaving the party voluntarily.
"Some will accuse me of leaving Umno for personal interests. Why would I leave at a time when Umno is seen as strong enough to contest 56 seats on its own?" he said.
Puad noted that he was exiting the party at a time when several prominent figures, including former youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, former vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Tan Sri Noh Omar were reportedly returning to Umno.
"The question is, who has personal interests, them or me?" he asked.
Explaining his decision, Puad claimed that Johor Umno no longer had the freedom to make its own decisions.
He also alleged that caretaker Johor mentri besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi had told him that the palace had directed him to dissolve the assembly.
Puad acknowledged that his remarks could invite criticism and even pose risks to his personal safety, but said he was prepared to face the consequences.
On June 25, Puad hinted at a major announcement on Saturday (June 27) regarding the Barisan Nasional candidate line-up for the upcoming Johor election.
