KUALA LUMPUR – Amid speculation of discontent among Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s faction of MPs over the appointment of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as chairman of the National Recovery Council, the Umno president has moved to allay such rumours, saying the decision is the prerogative of the prime minister.
He said this stand similarly applies to the appointment of the new cabinet, which was heavily criticised for having similar faces to the one in Muhyiddin’s administration, which lost federal power last month.
In a statement today, Zahid said since the party has backed Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the head of government, it is up to the prime minister to make any decision he feels most appropriate in running the country.
“The party’s stand can also be interpreted as such that, since the prime minister has constitutional powers, it is his responsibility to make sure the government functions well and does not repeat the mistakes of the previous administration,” he said in a Facebook post today.
“Umno is consistent in its stand. On behalf of the party, I will ensure we will continue to be the eyes, ears and voices of the rakyat on issues concerning their welfare and the prosperity of the nation.
“This is the spirit and principle of democracy that we must push for. The government has a responsibility in meeting the needs of the people. The party, on the other hand, has a role as a balancing force that always moves in unison with the rakyat.”
Zahid was responding to comments and queries from various quarters on Umno’s stand pertaining to the newly formed cabinet and contentious appointment of Muhyiddin to lead the country’s national recovery, with a ministerial rank.
Yesterday, The Vibes had reported an Umno source as saying that Muhyiddin’s appointment has not gone down well with some party leaders, including the group of MPs who had withdrawn support for the former prime minister during his time in power.
The majority of them supposedly disproved the appointment as they felt Muhyiddin should not have been given the position considering his failure in administering the country during his 17 months in power, particularly with regard to his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zahid said the party will continue to strengthen itself ahead of the general election, which is due in less than two years, and will see to it that the mandate given by the party’s Supreme Council as well as delegates during its general assembly in March are implemented.
The first, he said, is to push for a national poll as soon as the country achieves herd immunity and when the Covid-19 situation here improves.
“The government today is only temporary in nature, for as long as we do not get the full mandate by the rakyat,” he said, adding that a general election is necessary to form a stable government chosen by the people.
Zahid also reiterated the grassroots demand for all Umno traditional seats, including those it won in the last election but have since seen their lawmakers defected, to be returned to the party.
Additionally, he said Umno will limit its cooperation with its splinter party Bersatu only until the current Parliament is dissolved.
“For the next six to seven months, until the pandemic has improved, the government and the party will continue to complement each other and move together by focusing on our respective roles.” – The Vibes, September 8, 2021
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