Dr M meets Zahid: Is Umno joining PH?

PETALING JAYA - Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he met with Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi because the former deputy prime minister voiced interest in supporting the Government.

"He called me. He wanted to see me because he was interested in supporting the Government," said Dr Mahathir Mohamad when asked about the purpose of his meeting with Zahid on Thursday (June 7).

"He is welcomed to support the Government, he is welcomed to oppose the Government also," he said at a press conference on Friday (June 8).

When asked if Zahid had visited him on a personal capacity, or as acting Umno president, Dr Mahathir replied: "I think, more like the acting president."

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Previously, Dr Mahathir told Sinar Harian that Zahid had asked for advice on how to manage Umno.

"He (Zahid) wanted to know how to manage Umno. So I was honest with him, and said that Umno had betrayed the Malays," Dr Mahathir told Malay daily Sinar Harian.

"I reminded him that we established Umno to help the Malays. But Umno has changed and Umno has prioritised the wealth of individuals instead," he said.

Dr Mahathir said Umno is now "hated" and it is difficult for the party to recover from their loss of support.