Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it never crossed his mind to nominate himself as the next prime minister even though some may have suggested that he coveted the position.
This was after Zahid orchestrated Muhyiddin Yassin's fall as the prime minister and the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government after he and 14 other Umno MPs withdrew their support.
"As a normal human being, I cannot hide that my feelings were hurt by the accusations against me throughout this political crisis.
"In the interest of the people and country, know that it had never crossed my mind to name myself as the prime ministerial candidate even though I am leading (one of) the largest party," he said in a statement tonight.
