PADANG BESAR: Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, who broke his party's ranks by contesting as an Independent in the upcoming 15th General Election said his action was a protest against Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahidi, 61, stressed that the president's decision to scrap potential candidates submitted by the Padang Besar division was an insult that went against the party's constitution.
"This is my protest against the party president for disregarding the wishes of the Padang Besar division for a local candidate to be fielded (for parliament).
"The decision was an insult… as if we didn't have qualified candidates among the members here.
"I have personally informed the president that for as long as the candidate is from Perlis, I don't have an issue with it and I will not contest as an Independent candidate," he said after the nomination process at MRSM Beseri here, today.
Zahidi said the president's decision was unfair to the Padang Besar Umno division, which performed well in the previous general election.
"Even with the nationwide political tsunami in GE14, we won all five state seats and the parliamentary seat of Padang Besar.
"So what made the (Padang Besar) Umno division deserve such insult and punishment? We can't accept this," he said.
Zahidi further claimed that Zahid, who disregarded the potential candidates list proposed by the division, went against the party constitution.
"The party constitution requires each division to propose five names as potential candidates, and that was what we did.
"However, when the list reached Kuala Lumpur (party headquarters) it was disregarded," he said.
Zahidi alleged that over 50 Umno divisions nationwide faced the same predicament when their proposed names were replaced by candidates that don't have the potential to win.
"The president had made his own call in selecting candidates, not through a consultation with the party's top leadership.
"This shows that the president is trying to betray Umno's struggles and crush the party.
"I am being accused as being a traitor, but actually, who is the real traitor here?" he asked.
He reiterated his earlier claims that the party candidate selection process for GE15 was a ploy by Zahid to be elected as prime minister by picking only those who supported him.
Zahidi said he did not have a choice but to stand as an Independent candidate for the Padang Besar parliamentary seat and the Titi Tinggi state seat as a sign of protest against the party president.
"Winning or losing is not my priority. It is more about me protesting against the president.
"Although we sympathise with the BN candidate who is still in religious confinement (following the passing of her husband), but we disagree with the president's choice and I will proceed with contesting as an Independent candidate," he said.
Zahidi will face national Umno Puteri wing chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan in a five-cornered contest to defend the Padang Besar seat.
Other candidates are Muhammad Saad@Yahya (Pakatan Harapan); Rusydan Rusmi (Perikatan Nasional) and Ko Chu Liang (Parti Warisan Malaysia).
In the previous general election, Zahidi retained the seat after defeating PH nominee Izizam Ibrahim and Pas's Mokhtar Senik with a 1,438 majority votes.
Zahidi is also contesting in the Titi Tinggi state seat, in a crowded six-corner battle.