Umno eyes DPM post, says source

KOTA KINABALU – After Umno’s sudden reconsideration to back out of Perikatan Nasional (PN), a source in Sabah Bersatu today said the lynchpin party is eyeing the vacant deputy prime minister's post.

The source told The Vibes that Umno covets the post for its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Umno also wants several senior minister positions for its leaders.”

Umno’s announcement last night came after opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday. Anwar had said he had the backing of more than 120 federal lawmakers.

Meanwhile, a source from Sabah Umno said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government is at risk if Bersatu and Umno decide to go their separate ways at the federal level.

The GRS alliance comprises Sabah Umno (14 state seats), Perikatan Nasional (17), PBS (seven) and three independent seats, while opposition Warisan Plus has 32 seats.

The tumultuous relationship between Umno and Bersatu has spread to the state as Sabah Bersatu led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor has broken many promises made to Sabah Umno. 

“Sabah Umno gave way to Bersatu on the chief minister's post as well as the ministerial swap involving Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

“Lastly, the appointment of deputy Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun as the Covid-19 spokesman.

“There are three deputy chief ministers to choose from (to be the Covid-19 spokesman), but Hajiji picked fellow party member Masidi,” said the source, adding that the duty of the spokesman is to be a proxy for the chief minister.

Still, a fallout at the federal level could spell disaster for the GRS alliance in Sabah, which is already wrought with disagreements between Umno and Bersatu. – THe Vibes, October 14, 2020