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KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has finally broken his silence over a deal purportedly brokered with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to name his deputy from amongst Bersatu leaders.
While neither confirming nor denying the existence of the agreement, Zahid said today’s political reality requires focus on issues concerning the rakyat to take precedence over threats and demands for positions.
“One must be more realistic in assessing current needs,” he said in a statement today.
“What is needed now is the recovery of our economy and a more (stable) government that enjoys the people’s mandate, not demands for deputy prime ministership at a time when the people’s economy should be prioritised.
“What should be demanded instead is a fresh mandate via an election to resolve the issue of political uncertainty so that there can be stability, and a stronger economic policy that is capable of attracting investors.”
Zahid’s statement comes amid bickering between Umno and Bersatu over the deputy prime minister’s post.
The matter first came to light on July 3 when Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he had raised the previous agreement to Ismail Sabri during a meeting between the pair.
Copies of a leaked 2021 document about the purported agreement between the two leaders also made the rounds recently.
Leaders of both parties have since been entangled in a war of words, although Ismail Sabri has yet to directly address the matter.
Responding to this, Zahid said Umno refuses to be drawn in by the provocations and slander made by political rivals.
“As the oldest and largest Malay-based party in the country, Umno has gone through various conflicts, but we will always act maturely and wisely in addressing any political attacks.
“The priority for me and the party’s top leadership is to maintain our camaraderie. We will always be prepared to take care of the Malays, Bumiputera and Malaysians, particularly in facing the general election.” – The Vibes, July 14, 2022