ISKANDAR PUTERI: Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (pic) has denied that party candidates contesting in the 15th General Election (GE15) were forced to sign a document agreeing to certain conditions, which included supporting Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as prime minister.
He added that the document was only intended to ensure the loyalty of all candidates to Umno.
“It’s not true, it’s not true, there are no conditions like that, it is slander, there is nothing. Whatever there is, candidates should be loyal to the party, “ he added.
Ahmad, who is also the incumbent Pontian MP, said this when met after the launching of Johor Barisan Nasional GE15 machinery held at EduCity Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday night (Nov 2).
Ahmad however acknowledged the existence of such document asking all Umno candidates to give undivided support to the party if given a mandate.
“I want to mention that all the candidates who contested in the Sabah, Melaka and Johor state elections previously signed such document of commitment, and for this national polls, our candidates also signed similar documents.
“It is not a problem because it aims to strengthen the party’s position, which is why we can see that there are no more winning candidates who jump parties.
“That matter (signing the letter of commitment) is important, and we have done it,” he said adding the details in the viral document were fake.
Ahmad was asked to comment about a document signed by Umno candidates that gone viral on social media.
Other than supporting Ahmad Zahid for prime minister, the conditions supposedly set in the document include having to support the dropping of court cases involving the party’s top leadership and giving key cabinet positions to Umno and Barisan candidates.