Why did Mohd Puad feel the need to criticize Umno freely?

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Mohd Puad said leaving Umno would let him criticise the party freely without accusations of disloyalty
Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi announced on June 25, 2026 that he was leaving Umno with immediate effect and said the move would make it easier for him to “voice” his views freely. He tied that freedom to being able to hold differing views without being accused of “stabbing the party in the back”, and said he is now free to criticise Umno, which he described as a platform he loves and respects for Malays and Malaysians.
He said his departure was made without coercion
In a Facebook statement dated June 25, he said his decision to leave Umno was made “without any coercion”. He framed the timing as immediate, stating he would not require Umno to expel him.
He linked free criticism to holding differing views
Mohd Puad said leaving Umno would make it easier for him to hold views different from those of the party. He specifically referenced the risk of being accused of “stabbing the party in the back” when he holds those differing views.
He said he is now free to criticise Umno
He stated that after leaving, he is “now free to criticise Umno”. He added that Umno is a platform he loves and respects for Malays and Malaysians, positioning his criticism as something he could do openly once he was no longer within the party.
He rejected claims of personal-interest motives
He dismissed suggestions that his decision was driven by personal interests. The statement also came after he previously hinted he would make an important announcement, while he had earlier confirmed he would not defend the Rengit seat in the upcoming election despite winning it in 2022.

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Why did Mohd Puad feel the need to criticize Umno freely?

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