KUALA LUMPUR, 25 June 2026 (The Capital Post) – Veteran UMNO leader Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi today announced his immediate resignation from the party, claiming the decision was driven by what he described as a loss of political independence within UMNO Johor and alleging that key decisions were being influenced by the Johor Palace.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr Puad said his resignation takes effect immediately from 25 June 2026, adding that his departure would spare the party from having to dismiss him over his increasingly critical views.
He said leaving UMNO would allow him to openly criticise a party that he claimed he still respects and loves for its historical role in representing the Malay community and Malaysians.
Anticipating accusations that his resignation was motivated by personal interests, Dr Puad rejected the suggestion, arguing that he was leaving at a time when UMNO appeared politically stronger and preparing to contest 56 parliamentary seats independently. He contrasted his decision with the return of several prominent figures, including Khairy Jamaluddin, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Tan Sri Noh Omar, questioning who was truly acting out of self-interest.
Dr Puad identified what he described as the erosion of UMNO Johor’s autonomy as the primary reason for his resignation, alleging that the state chapter was no longer free to make its own political decisions and was instead being directed by the Johor Palace.
He further claimed that Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi personally informed him during a meeting in Saujana on 21 June 2026 that the Palace had instructed the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly on 1 June 2026. Dr Puad presented the alleged conversation as evidence to support his assertion that the state leadership was acting under external influence.
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The former UMNO Supreme Council member alleged that such incidents reflected a broader pattern of political control, describing UMNO Johor as becoming a “puppet” unable to exercise independent judgment. He said exposing what he called these “political irregularities” was an act of “political courage” aimed at preventing the situation from worsening.
Dr Puad acknowledged that his allegations would likely invite criticism and personal attacks, and claimed his own safety could be at risk. Nevertheless, he said he was prepared to face any consequences in pursuit of what he believed was the truth.
He also criticised what he termed the emergence of “political cowards” within UMNO, warning that such leadership would reduce Barisan Nasional candidates to recycled faces lacking the ambition of younger leaders and settling instead for what he described as mediocrity.
Dr Puad concluded his statement by placing his trust in God, saying he remained steadfast despite the political storm he expected to face.
At the time of publication, neither UMNO leadership nor Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi had publicly responded to Dr Puad’s allegations regarding external influence over UMNO Johor or the claimed circumstances surrounding the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly.- The Capital Post.
