KUALA LUMPUR – The Prime Minister’s Office has denounced speculation on the appointment of a deputy to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In a brief statement today, PMO also dismissed rumours that the prime minister needs to undergo treatment for cancer, saying they are untrue and made with ill intention.
“The prime minister has been declared cancer-free by the medical experts who treated him.”
Speculation is rife on the appointment of a deputy prime minister today, after Machang MP Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub withdrew support for Muhyiddin and Perikatan Nasional on Saturday.
An embattled Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, now has the support of just 110 MPs of the current total of 220, with Gua Musang’s Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah abstaining from voting on Budget 2021 late last year.
The majority of the news reports published today said Muhyiddin would appoint a deputy prime minister from Umno.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein were among the names bandied about.
Party sources said the reports appeared to be Muhyiddin’s way to drive a wedge in Umno, the country’s largest Malay party, and get as many of its MPs on his side, especially with a general election looming.
The rumour mills also indicated that Muhyiddin was very ill and expected to undergo cancer treatment in Singapore, giving the new deputy prime minister an opportunity to temporarily helm the nation. – The Vibes, January 11, 2021
