THE former communications and multimedia deputy minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, has made a U-turn, saying instead of the PKR he will now join the Amanah.Zahidi was a Padang Besar MP from 2013 to 2022. He was sacked from UMNO after contesting the Padang Besar parliamentary seat and Titi Tinggi state seat as an independent in the 15th General Election.“Prior to this, I had said that I would be joining Pakatan Harapan (PH), regardless of which component party. Discussions were ongoing with PKR and Amanah. But after consulting the grassroots (in Padang Besar), they reckoned that I should join Amanah.”Zahidi is facing backlash after announcing his intention to join PKR, a party led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.Zahidi gained notoriety during the 2020–2021 MCO for his verbal attack on a student.Remember Veveonah Mosibin, the then-18-year-old UMS student who had to stay atop a tree to take her online exam?Zahidi is the deputy minister who challenged her to prove that she is not getting internet services or that she is taking an examination.His attacked against the girl became an internet sensation, with many TikTok videos supporting Veveonah going viral.Despite his efforts to rebrand, many netizens have not forgotten his past actions during former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s 17-month reign, including the declaration of an eight-month emergency period.Nevertheless, Zahidi seems to be persistent in his attempts to gain the attention of the PH leadership.He previously stated that he will become a simple member of the PKR and will not take on any leadership roles. Now, he is saying he is leaning towards Amanah.“In any case, I wish to stress that I’m not interested in any position. My entry is purely to help the local leaders strengthen PH’s presence in Padang Besar,” he said.
Main photo credit: FMT
