News analysis

Zahid's comeback may reignite Mahathir's hostility towards Umno

Umno chief's return from sabbatical likely spurred by party's new pact with PAS

New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Not all in Umno are heralding the return of their president, fearing Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's sudden announcement on Sunday that he is ending his garden leave could lead to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resuming a hostile stance against the once-dominant party.

Just days before the end of his six-month sabbatical, former deputy premier Zahid was charged with 40 more counts of graft, bringing the total number of charges he is facing to 87.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 03, 2019, with the headline Zahid's comeback may reignite Mahathir's hostility towards Umno. Subscribe