Shahidan, who is also the federal territories minister, said the Pasir Salak MP’s claims against Zahid had caused “hurt that needed to be mended”.

“The disciplinary board must summon Tajuddin to question him on his claims. After that, the board must resolve the matter,” he told a press conference.

Earlier this week, Tajuddin had urged Zahid to step down as Umno president, claiming the Bagan Datuk MP made decisions for the party unilaterally while the Supreme Council went along with his decisions.

The former Umno Supreme Council member also claimed he was a “living witness” to Zahid’s efforts to get Umno MPs to sign statutory declarations (SDs) backing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

The Umno disciplinary board previously said it had yet to receive an official report regarding Tajuddin, and would only act after receiving a report.

Shahidan also said he was not among the MPs involved in signing SDs backing Anwar, maintaining that he upheld the Umno annual general assembly’s decision not to work with the PKR president. 

“I’m a party man. If the delegates say, ‘No Anwar, no DAP’, I will not go to Anwar or DAP. It’s as simple as that.” 

Separately, Shahidan said the “free trade area scheme” in the federal territories, which allowed hawkers and roadside vendors there to operate in suitable areas for free, would be extended until December.

However, from next year, he said vendors can only set up their shops or stalls at licensed locations.     

The scheme was implemented in November 2020 by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and federal territories ministry during the movement control order to help those who had lost their jobs to earn an income.

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