Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it never crossed his mind to nominate himself as the next prime minister even though some may have suggested that he coveted the position.
This was after Zahid orchestrated Muhyiddin Yassin's fall as the prime minister and the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government after he and 14 other Umno MPs withdrew their support.
"As a normal human being, I cannot hide that my feelings were hurt by the accusations against me throughout this political crisis.
"In the interest of the people and country, know that it had never crossed my mind to name myself as the prime ministerial candidate even though I am leading (one of) the largest party," he said in a statement tonight.
Zahid (above) said Umno will be proposing a number of candidates to succeed Muhyiddin but did not reveal them.
"Umno, as a party with wide and long experience in governance, will consider a number of candidates.
"I hope all MPs will offer their cooperation and support," he added.
He also urged all Umno leaders to close ranks, in an apparent reference to Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob's faction who had backed Muhyiddin until the end.
Ismail Sabri had positioned himself as a potential prime ministerial candidate by rallying support from MPs but this did not sit well with Umno as he had yet to receive a formal endorsement.
It is unclear if Ismail Sabri's name will be included in Umno's formal list of candidates.
Zahid wants end to persecution
Zahid thanked Muhyiddin for his service and said now was the time to move forward.
To this end, the Bagan Datuk MP called for a fixed-term stable government that will have the sole purpose of managing the Covid-19 pandemic and people's welfare.
"For this purpose, an effective cabinet similar to a 'war cabinet' should be formed with a focus on the country's recovery in the face of the pandemic.
"After the country achieves herd immunity and the situation is suitable for the 15th general election, the government should be dissolved and the mandate returned to the people," he said.
Persecution of opponents must also cease in order to foster political cooperation, Zahid added.
"To ensure political stability and cooperation, the act of persecuting opposing parties and leaders must stop.
"Using government agencies to weaken opponents in order to maintain power does not benefit the people," he said.
PSB seeks parliamentary vote
Muhyiddin formally resigned as the prime minister today, setting off the search for a new prime minister.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has summoned representatives from all political parties to Istana Negara tomorrow as he considers a new premier.
Meanwhile, PSB, which has two MPs, said it is opposed to any attempts to appoint a prime minister through statutory declarations.
"PSB wishes to state its stand that the person who is to be appointed as the new prime minister must be one who commands the support of a majority of the members of the Dewan Rakyat, by way of a vote of confidence taken there.
"PSB does not agree that such support can be expressed by way of statutory declarations or personal pledges from any political party leader," it said in a separate statement.
For this purpose, PSB said Parliament should urgently convene for a vote of confidence. - Mkini
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