[UPDATED] Emulate DAP, don’t be power crazy, Zahid tells Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his allies should be ashamed by the power-crazed manner in which they have been behaving since the results of the recent 15th general election, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He noted how Muhyiddin and his associates were willing to even disrespect and dispute the wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay rulers, who consented to the appointment of the prime minister and cabinet.

Zahid, who is Umno president, said political opponents should instead emulate DAP in prioritising the nation, and urged them to be a better opposition.

“(DAP) has shown that it prioritises the interests of the country rather than party and individual interests. They moved forward for the sake of ensuring the success of the unity government proposed by the Agong,” he said in a statement today.

“Muhyiddin and his allies must learn to be a credible opposition and to stop whining and moaning because they can’t accept the fact that he failed to be prime minister and form the government.

“Learn also to respect the process and decision of the king and the Council of Malay Rulers,” he added.

Zahid’s statement regarding DAP is believed to be in reference to the remark by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke yesterday that his party was willing to sacrifice anything so long as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is prime minister. 

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Loke revealed that Anwar insisted that DAP be in the cabinet, but that the party left it entirely up to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman to decide on the portfolios.

“It is not about positions but to serve for the good of the country. Whatever roles that we are given, we will do our best,” he had said amid criticism that the party was being sidelined in Anwar’s cabinet.

During the cabinet announcement on Friday, many quarters had noted the lack of DAP lawmakers in it despite being the party with the most MPs in the unity government.

Critics had also poured scorn on the appointment of Zahid as deputy prime minister, who is mired in 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

Muhyiddin had said yesterday that by appointing Zahid, in particular, Anwar has “sold the country’s dignity”, accusing the prime minister of “pawning principles of good governance” that PH had championed during its election campaign. 

Responding to this, Zahid reminded Muhyiddin that the appointment of the prime minister is at the discretion of the Agong.

“Muhyiddin and his associates ought to respect all these appointments. Their action in disputing the appointments is a true reflection that they don’t respect the royal institution,” he said. – The Vibes, December 4, 2022