KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has asked Umno to convey its new terms in exchange for continuous support for the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan told reporters in Pontian, Johor, today that Muhyiddin wants Umno to share the terms with Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Muhyiddin is the president of Bersatu.
“The request was made following a video conference between the prime minister, myself as Umno secretary-general and Umno treasurer Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor on Wednesday evening,” Ahmad was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
Ahmad said it was decided during his video conference with Muhyiddin and Tengku Adnan that Umno should submit its terms in writing.
He added Umno will send the formal letter after its supreme council meeting in Pahang on October 20.
Umno’s decision to review its support for the PN government came on the heels of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s latest bid to unseat Muhyiddin.
On October 13, the Umno supreme council’s political bureau said the party must consider withdrawing its support for the PN government and demand new terms to secure its political cooperation.
Umno would also propose to the Muafakat Nasional (MN) steering committee for the alliance to be registered immediately, legitimising the political entity. Umno’s principal partner in MN is PAS.
Anwar was granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Tuesday morning. He had then presented to the Agong the purported number of MPs who supported his move to take over the government.
The palace later said the opposition leader did not submit the names of those supporting him. – The Vibes, October 16, 2020
