KUALA LUMPUR: In response to criticism from Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament Hassan Abdul Karim, aimed at the leadership of Umno, the party's Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, has counterattacked against several leaders from PKR and DAP.
Mohd Puad alleged in his statement that PKR's deputy president Rafizi Ramli, and former DAP publicity secretary Tony Pua, were the 'kings' of formula.
He added that there were individuals celebrating when former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak failed to secure a full pardon.
"If it's DAP, then it's certainly Tony Pua-Ram Karpal Singh. If it's PKR, perhaps Rafizi-Hassan Karim," he said.
"Rafizi-Tony is the formula king. Their formula is burnt. Najib is the one who burnt it.
"Their formula is just empty talk. As long as Najib is around, it's hard to sell a new formula. They have to close shop. Tony and Rafizi are Siamese twins of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) formula, tolls, reducing prices of goods, and petrol.
"Now they are relieved because Najib remains in jail. They can continue their empty talk as 'Formula 2.0 King'," he said.
Earlier, a local news portal reported Hassan's call for Umno to replace its president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as it could not afford to rely on Pakatan Harapan's "fragile" support in the next general election.
Hassan emphasised that Umno needed a fresh leader with integrity and charisma to help the party regain the support of Malays, a crucial factor in Barisan Nasional (BN)'s recent electoral setbacks.
He also clarified that he was undeterred by the strong reprimand from the unity government spokesperson and PKR's Information chief, Fahmi Fadzil. Instead, he stated that the party could expel him if they deemed his outspoken actions offensive.