KUALA LUMPUR – Just a week after announcing his exit from Umno, former Rengit assemblyman Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi drew attention when he turned up at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) event in Felda Ulu Tebrau yesterday.
The former Johor State Assembly Speaker and ex‑Umno Batu Pahat division chief had earlier surprised many by openly declaring support for PH’s candidate in Rengit, Mohamad Yazid Bakri, in the 16th Johor state election.
At the Johor Youth Open Dialogue, Puad was not merely present – he was seen shaking hands and embracing PH chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He even sat beside Anwar throughout the program.
When invited to speak, Puad stressed that his attendance was a show of support for PH’s Puteri Wangsa candidate, Dr Maszlee Malik.
“It’s not easy to persuade me. I came because of an old friend. Simply put, I stepped onto the PH stage because PH is the Unity Government, and Barisan Nasional (BN) is also the Unity Government.
There’s nothing wrong with that, especially since I’m no longer an Umno member,” he said.
Puad admitted he has faced relentless criticism since voicing support for PH’s Rengit candidate, including being branded a traitor to Umno’s struggle. Yet he stood firm:
“Some mocked me, saying ‘joining DAP would be easier.’ Never mind. What matters is that I will continue political courage so that politics in Johor remains balanced.”
Puad had earlier announced he would not defend the Rengit seat, now contested by Batu Pahat Umno chief Mohd Zaidi Japar.
He officially quit Umno on June 25 – a move that continues to shake Johor’s political landscape. – July 5, 2026