Umno leader questions different disciplinary treatment between Lokman and Hisham

Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi has questioned the party's differing disciplinary treatment between Lokman Adam and Hishammuddin Hussein.

This is after Lokman, also a supreme council member, was promptly sacked by the Umno leadership council without going through the disciplinary board for attacking Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Puad said in contrast, Hishammuddin, who is former Umno vice-president, had his disciplinary hearing cancelled.

The aborted disciplinary hearing against Hishammuddin followed a complaint lodged by Lokman who accused the Sembrong MP of colluding with Bersatu so that Umno MPs would defect to the Umno splinter party.

"In Lokman's case, we refused to go through the disciplinary board to decide on his fate. But in the case of Hishammuddin, the disciplinary board's letter to investigate him was even retracted. His disciplinary proceeding was even cancelled.

"Apandi Ali resigned as the disciplinary board chairperson in the name of dignity and integrity. So how can the party be strong when its disciplinary board has no dignity and integrity?

'This is coming from a former attorney-general," he said in a statement.

Apandi, who was a former attorney-general, had alleged interference in the disciplinary board to stonewall the disciplinary action against Hishammuddin and resigned in protest. 

Puad noted that his criticism has courted attacks from "mercenary writers" but remained firm.

"Answer my question - What is the difference between Lokman and Hishammuddin? They say I am only an appointed supreme council member.

"It is true, it would be easy to also take action against me but do not hope that I will plaster my mouth," he said.

Lokman was on Friday dismissed after also accusing Zahid of colluding with Bersatu and its leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad.