JERLUN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today he had an audio recording as proof that he did not plot to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak two years ago.
Zahid said the latest allegation that he plotted to oust prime minister two years ago was baseless.
He said it was illogical for him to make such a plot only after 10 days he was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister in July 2015.
In an apparent reference to the recent allegation by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Zahid said: "That was his agenda to oust the prime minister but two years after the meeting, the person is accusing me of trying to remove the prime minister.
"Stop the lies. I have an audio recording of the meeting I had with the person. Maybe he has forgotten but I never forgets," he said when opening the Jerlun Umno divisional delegates’ meeting in Kubang Pasu today.
Present were Jerlun Umno acting chief Datuk Abu Hassan Sharif, his deputy Datuk Othman Aziz and Kedah Umno secretary Datuk Md Rozai Shafian.
Zahid, who is also an Umno vice-president, said his meeting with Dr Mahathir then was with Najib's consent.
"It was this person who had told me about his plan to force the prime minister out of the office by mobilising lawmakers, including from Barisan Nasional, to support a vote of no-confidence in Parliament against the prime minister.
"Failing which, the person told me about the back up plan to initiate a petition to demand the Council of Rulers to ask the prime minister to step down.
"Ironically, the person is now accusing me of plotting to oust the prime minister," said Zahid.
However, he said he did not wish to make the audio recording public for now.
Although he did not name the leader, it is understood that Zahid was referring to Dr Mahathir's recent claim that he (Zahid) had sought his blessing to oust Najib two years ago.
Zahid said the leader had held grudges against him ever since he won the Umno Youth chief’s post in 1996 by defeating other candidates favoured by the personality.
He said the leader had then seized the opportunity to use the now repealed Internal Security Act (ISA) on grounds of having different views with the then party leadership following the 1998 political turmoil when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sacked as the deputy prime minister.
"The leader used the ISA to oust me from the party and while under ISA detention, I was told to sign a letter to resign from the party’s youth chief.
"Not only that, the next day I was made to sign another letter that I had purportedly resigned on my own free will," he said.
Despite the bitter episode, Zahid said he remained loyal to the party and had never left to form another party, unlike other former Umno leaders.
Zahid reiterated his undivided loyalty to Najib's leadership and vowed to continue assisting the party president.
"I have known Najib for decades. He made me his political secretary when he was appointed as the Youth and Sports minister in 1987 and I will never forget his good deeds to me.
"Hence, I will never bite the hands that feed me and I will never betray him (Najib)," Zahid said to a thunderous applaud from the floor.
Zahid pledged to assist Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmah Bashah Md Hanipah to defend Kedah in the next general election.