Speaking to Jerlun Umno division members today, Zahid said he kept a recording of the meeting, adding that it also had the blessing of the prime minister.
“I want to state that it took place with the prime minister’s blessing, 10 days after I was appointed the deputy prime minister,” he said.
“The recording is still with me. They forget easily, but I don’t.”
Zahid replaced Muhyiddin Yassin, after the latter’s fallout with Najib over the 1MDB affair.
“How could I take down the prime minister 10 days after my appointment?
“Unlike him (Mahathir) who wrote an open letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman,” he said, referring to Mahathir’s criticism of the first prime minister.
On Monday, Dr Mahathir said Zahid approached him to seek his support to replace Najib as the prime minister
It comes after a series of attacks by Zahid on the Pakatan Harapan chairman, including his reference to the former prime minister’s Indian lineage.
Zahid said his meeting with Dr Mahathir was also attended by several individuals who had planned to topple Najib by petitioning to the Agong and planning a no-confidence vote.
He said he would not betray Najib, saying he was grateful to the prime minister who he served as political secretary in 1987.
“I don’t bite the hand that feeds me,” Zahid added.