KAMPUNG GAJAH: Umno's Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman today cautioned Rembau Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin that the party knows his alleged hidden agenda in calling for the party election.
"I would like to warn KJ (Khairy Jamaluddin) that we are not stupid. We know who you are and what you are doing.
"We discussed this matter several times including at the Umno Retreat in Janda Baik as well as other meetings and we will focus on the General Election (GE15), not party polls and everyone agreed.
"Why is he so eager to have the party polls early? He wants party polls... but where was he when we lost in GE14? If he loved the party then, he would have shown his commitment and sacrifice," said the Umno supreme council member.
Tajuddin who is also the Umno Election director told reporters this at the opening of the Kampung Gajah Fire and Rescue Department here today.
Tajuddin took a swipe at Khairy, who is also the Science, Technology and Innovation minister, claiming that the latter was trying to oust Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the party president.
"Someone wants to hold a position in the party so that when the GE15 comes, he gets to make decisions.
"He wants to throw Zahid Hamidi out and that is one of his agendas. We know it. Who wants to replace Zahid as Umno President? That person...who is eager to have the party polls early," he said.
On Tuesday, Khairy stressed that the party election which is scheduled to take place this year must be held before GE15.
Khairy further stressed that the party polls before GE15 would enable Umno to face the general election with a line of leaders who have a clear mandate and can garner the support of the people.
The former Umno Youth chief had previously contested against Ahmad Zahid for the Umno presidency in the 2018 party polls which was held after GE14.