KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's office has denied claims that the former prime minister sought to ban Umno during his second stint in power.

"It's not true at all. Mahathir never tried to ban Umno as claimed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi," Mahathir's office said in a statement.

"If Mahathir wanted to ban Umno, he could have instructed the home minister to do so but Umno continued to exist in the two years that he served as prime minister."

Mahathir's office said that the country's longest-serving prime minister told Zahid to disband Umno for several reasons, including its loss in the 14th general election and that it no longer represented the Malays.

Mahathir also cited the party's failure to live up to its struggles and the involvement of its leaders in corruption scandals.

"The suggestion to Zahid and Umno to disband the party was on the basis that its leaders realised the party had strayed from its struggles and were no longer fit to use the Umno name."

"The fact that Umno is still around proves the party was never banned."

Previously, Zahid claimed he was the mastermind behind the move to oust Mahathir during Pakatan Harapan's time in power.

Zahid said he did so as Mahathir, who was prime minister at the time, wanted to deregister Umno.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/08/1094679/dr-m-never-tried-ban-umno