Arau MP Shahidan Kassim has hit back at Umno veteran Shahrir Samad for questioning his position as chairman of the Perikatan Nasional Backbenchers Club (PNBBC).
Speaking to FMT, Shahidan said it was strange that Shahrir had questioned his position but did not mention the 20-plus Umno leaders who held posts of ministers and deputy ministers in the PN government.
“So, what’s the issue? He should be careful before he speaks. When he speaks, he shows an extraordinary lack of knowledge. He’s the former Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman and a former minister, but he lacks knowledge.
“If he questions (my position), then he should also question the 20 Umno ministers and deputy ministers in PN. It’s not like I get a salary in PNBBC,” he said.
Asked if BN and Umno had agreed to him being appointed as PNBBC chief, he said he did not want to comment on that.
“To me, the person who questioned me isn’t a minister or deputy minister from Umno. The one asking is Shahrir. Who is Shahrir? He contested in Johor Bahru but lost,” he said, referring to the 2018 elections in which the Umno leader lost his seat to PKR.
Last week, Shahrir criticised Shahidan for saying those who vote against the budget are betraying the trust of the people, adding that the Arau MP was “aggressive” in defending the budget.
Shahrir also questioned how a BN MP could become the chairman of PNBBC when BN was not officially part of PN.
In August, Umno president and BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said his party will not become a part of the PN coalition. – FMT