KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi refuted claims made by supreme council member Isham Jalil that he will be expelled from the party for being too outspoken.
Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said Isham was trying to "outsmart" him with such allegations.
"He thinks he knows better than the president. That is the problem," he said today.
The deputy prime minister said this after officiating the Halal Sector Forum 2023 at MITEC today.
Earlier, Isham claimed that he and a few Umno members could be fired from the party for criticisms against the leadership for working with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the elections.
Isham said he had heard he was part of a list of those who would be axed from the party.
Separately, Zahid also shot down Isham's call for a referendum to be held to ascertain the party's ties with DAP.
Zahid said the referendum was pointless and Isham should not coerce others to oblige.
"Why is there a need for a referendum? No need.
"I respect the personal opinion of others. But do not force others to respect your personal opinion," said Zahid.
Earlier, Isham had asked Umno to hold a referendum with three million members to determine if it wanted to continue cooperation with DAP or otherwise.
Isham had reportedly said he had never agreed for Umno to stand in the elections with PH.
He had said he was only agreeable for Umno to work with PH to form the unity government as decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, however, dismissed Isham, saying that it was his personal opinion and was not Umno's stance.
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