‘Disappointed’ Puad free to back anyone at Johor polls, says KJ

Zaidi Japar (left) of Barisan Nasional and Yazid Bakri of Pakatan Harapan are contesting the Rengit state seat in Johor.

LEDANG: Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, having resigned from the party, is free to back anyone for the Johor state election, says former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

However, he said Puad’s decision to back Yazid Bakri, the Pakatan Harapan candidate in Rengit, could have come about “because he is disappointed, and not because of the candidate”.

He said Puad was “free to back anyone he chooses as he is no longer part of Umno and we cannot stop him”.

Khairy, who was speaking to reporters while campaigning for Zaidi Japar, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Rengit, said Zaidi was the “best man for the job” being both hardworking and close to the local community.

Earlier today Puad had endorsed Yazid of Amanah, citing his “local boy” credentials.

Puad, who was the Rengit assemblyman and state assembly speaker, said in early June that he would not stand for re-election. On June 25, he resigned from Umno alleging royal interference in political matters.

However, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Puad resigned because his son was not chosen to contest the Rengit seat.

The Rengit contest is between Yazid, Zaidi and Syed Mohamad Syed Alwi of Perikatan Nasional. Polling takes place on July 11, with early voting on July 7.