GE14 | Mohd Puad Zarkashi has announced his resignation as the director-general of the Special Affairs Division (Jasa), the propaganda arm of the government.

The decision comes in the wake of him not being named as the candidate for the Batu Pahat parliament seat in Johor, which he lost in the 2013 general election.

In a Facebook posting this afternoon, he rained criticism on Umno's selection process for its election candidates, reminisced on his political career, thanked Jasa staff for their dedication and apologised for running the department with an iron fist.

However, it was the cryptic message at the end of the posting which raised eyebrows. The message in capital letters read “UNTIL I WIN.”

It cannot be ascertained if this indicated that the Batu Pahat Umno division chief is considering running as an independent in the May 9 general election.

Earlier, Puad, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said he was convinced that the candidates' selection system for the coming general election was “rosak” (spoilt) and “corrupted.”

“Our system is 'rosak' to the point that immoral candidates are chosen (to contest). Candidates who have never helped the party are also chosen,” he added.

Expecting to face criticism for his action, Puad, who has been a staunch defender of caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, said he would remain steadfast.

“Although defending the government through Jasa appears to be pointless, but resignation is the best step.

“My chapter in Jasa comes to an end. A hot place to the point DAP tabled a motion in Parliament for Jasa to be dissolved. Before this, Pakatan Harapan's budget suggested Jasa be closed,” he added.

Puad also addressed the claims that he was upset and sulking, saying such remarks come from those who have not followed his political career.

“In the 1999 general election, my name was removed (from the candidates' list) at the eleventh hour because I was accused of being an Anwar (Ibrahim) supporter since I once taught in his school. I did not run.

“In the 2004 general election, my name never made the list although I was the deputy chief and political secretary to then Johor menteri besar (Abdul Ghani Othman). I resigned as political secretary immediately, but I did not run.

“In the 2013 general election, I lost (Batu Pahat) because of the Chinese tsunami. Many others were defeated as well but they are contesting again,” he added.

Will I face disciplinary action?

This time around, Puad said, he was dropped as a candidate within 24 hours after receiving confirmation that he would be fielded.

“I was dropped without any consultation although I am a supreme council member, director-general of Jasa and (Batu Pahat Umno) division chief,” he added.

According to Puad, the reason he was brave enough to question the selection system and caretaker deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's remarks convinced him that the process was flawed.

Zahid had said that Puad was not being fielded because support for BN had eroded in the Batu Pahat area, which prompted the former Jasa chief to question the Umno deputy president's assessment.

Commenting on this today, Puad asked how can there be an erosion of support when Batu Pahat Umno increased and moved close to 7,000 voters, putting the parliament seat among the top five seats with the highest increase of Malay voters in Johor.

“Would I be subjected to disciplinary action for openly responding to the (caretaker) DPM's comment?

“If so, why was there no action taken against (former Terengganu menteri besar) Ahmad Said who brought a motion for (current caretaker menteri besar) Ahmad Razif (Abdul Rahman) be sacked as MB?” he asked, noting that Ahmad has been named as a candidate for the coming polls as well.

BN will be fielding Batu Pahat Umno division Wanita chief Harliza Abdullah for the parliamentary seat.