Redzuan says tried to coax Dr M to work with Muhyiddin during 'Raya visit'

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Redzuan Mohd Yusof has admitted that he met with Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Perdana Leadership Foundation yesterday morning.

However, he said it was only a Hari Raya Aidilfitri visit and that he had tried to coax the nonagenarian to work together with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

"It was a regular meeting. An Aidilfitri visit. We are good friends, old friends. We did not discuss politics," Redzuan told Berita Harian today.

"I advised and invited Tun (Mahathir) to help Muhyiddin as 'friends' to rebuild the country because we are facing a Covid-19 (crisis). He appeared positive with that advice.

"The meeting was not as reported by the media that I would leave Perikatan Nasional. That's not true, that's slander by those with vested interests who want to tarnish my name," he added.

Yesterday, speculation was rife that Redzuan (Alor Gajah) and Deputy Works Minister Shahruddin Md Salleh (Sri Gading) would declare their support for Mahathir but this did not materialise.

Bersatu had on Thursday declared the party membership of five MPs including Mahathir, void amid speculations of a counter-coup move.

They were Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun), Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu), Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar) and Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam).

Based on the current status quo, Muhyiddin has the support of 113 MPs, a two-seat majority in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.

Muhyiddin was sworn in as the new prime minister on March 1 after Mahathir refused to lead a new coalition Muhyiddin cobbled together comprising Bersatu, BN, PAS, GPS, PBS and Star.

Mahathir, whose position as Bersatu chairperson is disputed, has indicated he plans to take Bersatu back into Pakatan Harapan but Muhyiddin at present appears to have the upper hand in the party - Mkini