Former Rengit assemblyman Puad Zarkashi has defended his decision to recommend his son as a potential candidate for the upcoming Johor state election, rejecting claims that his resignation from Umno was driven by dissatisfaction over the party’s choice.
In a Facebook post, Puad said there was nothing wrong with proposing his son for consideration, arguing that his son had already undergone preparation and training to contest elections.
“Is it wrong for me to nominate him? Why is that an issue?
“If it is not allowed, why was the daughter of the Ledang division chief allowed to contest in Serom?” he said, referring to Nadhirah Afiqah Abdull Rahim.
Responding to Asyraf’s allegation
Puad’s remarks came after Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki claimed that he had pressured the party to select his son as the candidate for the Rengit seat.
According to Asyraf, Puad had written to him, warning that he would leave Umno and criticise the party if his son was not given due consideration for the constituency. Puad previously represented Rengit from March 2022 until the Johor state assembly was dissolved earlier this month.
The exchange followed Puad’s earlier claim that Johor Umno lacked autonomy in making decisions, which he cited when announcing his resignation from the party.
Questions over candidate selection
Barisan Nasional later named Zaidi Japar as its candidate for the Rengit seat when unveiling its lineup for the July 11 state election.
Puad also alleged that Umno’s candidate selection process in Johor reflected elements of cronyism. He pointed to the appointment of Alwiyah Talibas as the candidate for Endau after she left Bersatu and rejoined Umno less than a month earlier.
He argued that the party’s candidate selection mechanism had become increasingly exclusive.
Plans for further disclosure
Puad said he had adopted what he described as a “kamikaze” approach to draw attention to the issue.
He added that he would provide further details regarding the candidate selection process in a separate post within the next few days.
