Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has accused Umno of applying double standards when taking disciplinary action against members found guilty of misconduct.
In a Facebook post, Puad said the party’s disciplinary system had once functioned well but claimed it had been undermined by certain leaders and advisers who practised unequal treatment.
Questions over disciplinary decisions
Puad cited the case of Mersing Umno chief Youzaimi Yusof, who is contesting the Tenggaroh seat in the Johor state election on July 11.
He claimed Umno’s disciplinary board had found Youzaimi guilty of sabotaging Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Mersing parliamentary seat during the 2022 general election.
According to Puad, Youzaimi received only a stern warning despite the finding, while Johor Bahru Wanita Umno chief Sa’adiah Hussien was suspended over what he described as a similar issue.
He added that Sa’adiah’s suspension was later revoked after complaints about alleged double standards were raised at the Umno Supreme Council meeting.
“That is an example of cronyism which has damaged Umno’s system,” he said.
Criticism over candidate selection
Puad also questioned why Youzaimi was selected as BN’s candidate for Tenggaroh despite his disciplinary record, saying Umno could have fielded younger leaders from its Mersing division.
He further described Youzaimi as a “recycled candidate”, noting that he lost the Endau seat in the 2022 Johor state election, and urged Tenggaroh voters not to support the BN candidate.
Puad resigned from Umno on June 25, citing the Johor chapter’s lack of autonomy in decision-making. His resignation came after he decided not to defend the Rengit seat in the Johor state election.
