Truce stands, all Umno ministers to remain in Cabinet, says Zahid

 

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the party decided last night a general election should be held once the Covid-19 pandemic comes under control.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno says ministers from the party will remain in the Perikatan Nasional-led Cabinet amid speculation they would be asked to quit.

In a statement following a five-hour long Supreme Council meeting last night, party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party also decided that a general election should be held once the Covid-19 pandemic is under control.

He again emphasised the need for national reconciliation and political ceasefire as the country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the people’s well-being and political stability.

Zahid reiterated that Umno fully supported the decree from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers for the country to be governed based on the constitution.

He said the party will also take into consideration the people’s wish list for Budget 2021, such as the loan moratorium extension, Covid-19 aid, financial aid for those who lost their jobs, special aid for frontliners and initiatives to boost economic growth.

“Umno will ensure that a beneficial Budget 2021 for the rakyat will be approved,” he said.

Zahid said Umno will not hesitate to take action against any quarters who question the party’s decision to support the King’s advice.

The Supreme Council meeting last night came amid speculation the party was considering several names to be proposed as its nominee for the post of deputy prime minister (DPM).

It was the Umno Supreme Council’s second meeting in four days. On Monday, it met to decide on Barisan Nasional’s direction in the wake of the King deciding on Sunday that there was no need to declare a state of emergency to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, a high-ranking Umno leader said his party must have the final say on who gets to be DPM.

Before last night’s meeting, speculation was rife that Umno would also push for a Cabinet reshuffle.

As one party insider had told FMT, there were issues with the present batch of ministers from Umno as the appointments had not adhered to the party hierarchy.

Last night’s meeting began at about 8pm and was attended by a number of Umno Supreme Council members, including Noh Omar, Shahidan Kassim, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Razali Ibrahim, Ahmad Said and Jalaluddin Alias. - FMT