PETALING JAYA: Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhamad Sanusi Md Nor has been taken to task for implying that the Umno president insisted on holding the 15th General Election (GE15) earlier for fear of being imprisoned.

       Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan said the accusation, which gives the perception that the course of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's court cases will change if Barisan Nasional wins, is inappropriate and a serious allegation against the integrity of judges and the country's judiciary.

       Shahril said Ahmad Zahid, as the party president and Barisan chairman, wants Umno to win and for Malaysia to benefit from a more stable political landscape.

       "Whatever it is, the matter will be discussed by the party's top five. Other parties do not need to meddle in Umno's affairs," he added.

       Shahril also said Ahmad Zahid did not urge for GE15 to be held early, and instead had asked for it to not he held too late, in strategic consideration of the party and nation.

       "Wheneve GE15 takes place and if Barisan wins, what is Datuk Seri Sanusi trying to say? That because Barisan wins, suddenly the judges will be forced to change their minds?

       "If that is the accusation, just mention it without hiding because it is a very serious accusation not against Datuk Seri (Ahmad) Zahid but against the integrity of judges and the country's judiciary.

       "Even now, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) is from Umno.

       "Based on the decision of the Umno supreme council, if Barisan wins, the Prime Minister (is still) the same. The case is still ongoing. So what's the link between an early GE15 and the court case?

       "Besides that, there is no guarantee that Barisan will win GE15," Shahril said in a statement on Sunday (June 12).

       On Saturday (June 11), a news portal reported that Muhamad Sanusi, who is also PAS election director, said Malaysia would be ruined if the people chose "one or two power-hungry leaders", besides claiming that Ahmad Zahid, who is currently facing a corruption trial, insisted that GE15 be held early for fear of imprisonment.