KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu’s demands to fill federal cabinet positions, including the coveted deputy prime minister (DPM) seat, will ultimately destabilise national politics, warned Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
He claimed that Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s pick for the DPM post, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, over Datuk Seri Azmin Ali could potentially trigger a political backlash.
“Azmin would definitely be mad. Politics would be more unstable,” he said in a Facebook post today.
The Rengit assemblyman also claimed that Bersatu could pressure Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob by threatening to pull the party’s support or be uncooperative towards the government’s directives if the demand goes unheeded.
Bersatu has suffered several defections in recent weeks following the departure of Ampang MP Datuk Seri Zuraida Kamaruddin and Lahad Datu MP Datuk Mohammadin Ketapi.
To stop further losses, Puad said, Muhyiddin is pushing for Bersatu to take over the ministerial slot occupied by Zuraida.
Puad further claimed that Bersatu’s youth chief, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, is in competition with the party’s information chief, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, for the position.
“Muhyiddin wants this matter to be resolved immediately to prevent other Bersatu MPs from jumping ship,” said the former Johor state assembly speaker and former deputy education minister.
Previously, Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, had revealed that he had met with Ismail Sabri last week to discuss PN’s agreement with the government, including on filling key positions in the administration.
Among other names touted as Bersatu’s pick for the DPM post are party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who is now home minister, and Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, who is Alor Gajah MP. – The Vibes, July 5, 2022
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