KUALA LUMPUR – More resignations of Umno ministers will threaten to derail the government’s efforts to put the country back on track after a hard-hit pandemic year, said PAS.
In a statement, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this is especially the case for several Umno leaders overseeing critical ministries to follow through on the implementation of the National Recovery Plan.
In particular, he named Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin; and, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba as the trio undertaking vital jobs in the administration.
In this regard, he said the support shown by many Umno MPs towards the government proves that the main focus at the moment is to ensure political and economic stability, address the pandemic, achieve herd immunity and ensure prosperity.
“PAS records its thanks to all Umno MPs who remain giving its strong backing for Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
“We also urge all other MPs to unite in supporting efforts under the recovery plan. Now is not the time for fighting,” he said today.
Tuan Ibrahim’s statement comes on the back of the resignations of Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah this week.
Several other Umno leaders have also relinquished their respective positions from government-linked companies as pressure mounts on the embattled Muhyiddin and his administration.
Last Tuesday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced the party’s official withdrawal of support for the government.
However, Ismail Sabri, who is also Umno vice-president, yesterday led a group of Barisan Nasional MPs in defying the party’s order by pledging their support for the prime minister.
Muhyiddin is expected to have his legitimacy tested in Parliament next month, amid question marks over his hold on Putrajaya’s top seat following Umno’s withdrawal. – The Vibes, August 7, 2021