KUALA LUMPUR: An Umno Supreme Council member claimed that Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman was twisting facts during the latter's tell-all press conference yesterday.

In a series of social media posting, Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi also claimed that Tajuddin had done so because the controversial Pasir Salak member of Parliament had a "phobia" of being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Puad, who is also the Johor State Assembly Speaker, described yesterday's press conference as Tajuddin's attempt to "masuk bakul angkat sendiri", a Malay idiom which means blowing his own trumpet.

"Many know Tajuddin organised many meetings at his house. So, why the 200-degree turn? 

"He is MACC-phobic. There are many living witnesses," said Puad in one of the postings on his Facebook.

He was referring to Tajuddin's claims made during his press conference on Monday where the designate Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia had said there was an attempt to submit a memorandum asking Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down as party president.

Tajuddin, who was recently sacked as the party's supreme council member, claimed that the movement to submit the memorandum was headed by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and included other MPs such as Barisan Nasional (BN) advisory council chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Tajuddin claimed that the group of leaders involved in the movement met at his house in Bukit Damansara here in May 2020.

Tajuddin claimed the movement however was derailed when Mohamad backed down at the very last minute after the Rantau assemblyman was "threatened" by "budak Zahid" (Zahid's henchman).

"The heroism legacy of Pasir Salak is outstanding. Unfortunately, the life of a modern Pasir Salak (leader) is 'cepat cair' (easily flustered)," Puad said in the same posting.

Puad, in the same posting also took a jab at Tan Sri Annuar Musa, describing the Ketereh MP as a supporter of Tajuddin for sharing news reports on yesterday's press conference on the latter's Facebook.

"Annuar Musa was interested with the press conference by Tajuddin.

"He was the most active when "viral(ing) and share (sharing)" media reports especially those published by portals on the press conference," he said.