PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has slammed accusations that efforts to return Barisan Nasional as the ruling government were to divert attention from the “court cluster”.

Without mentioning any names, Ahmad Zahid said such claims were mere political propaganda.

“Let me explain what I have been saying many times before this, that I am indeed determined to clear my name in court.

“Even though many feel that it is a selected political prosecution after Umno/Barisan lost GE14 due to slander and lies, be brave in the name of truth,” the Umno president said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Jan 27).

The “court cluster” label is used to reference several Umno leaders facing graft charges in court, which included Ahmad Zahid as well as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Ahmad Zahid added that he does not deny that he is trying to restore Barisan to its former glory.

He, however, said that the efforts are not because of court cases, but due to the trust given by the people.

“(Because) that is the responsibility and purpose of the Umno president and BN chairman. Never will the BN chairman and the Umno president allow a party owned by the people, for the sake of the people, for the people to lose its identity,” he added.