Azmin sidesteps question on DPM candidacy

 

Bersatu supreme council member Azmin Ali today sidestepped reporters' question about him allegedly being named by the party as its sole candidate for deputy prime minister.

Speaking to the media during an event in Serdang, the international trade and industry minister instead stressed Perikatan Nasional's (PN) role in strengthening the coalition government.

"The government today is formed by a coalition, not a single-party rule like before. The largest part of this coalition is PN.

"Thus, when my comrades and I speak about our responsibility to strengthen the government, it means we want to reinforce the current coalition.

"If we are weak, then the PN government will also be weak. It is my responsibility to make sure this government continues to be strong so that we can tackle these two issues and we cannot play politics. That will be a disservice to the rakyat.

"I want action-oriented politics by serving the rakyat, which will help us reach the two objectives of improving the economy and tackling Covid-19," he said.

Azmin met reporters during a strategic partnership programme organised by the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry in conjunction with Maha 2022 at Maeps, Serdang.

The Gombak MP was asked to comment on Malaysiakini’s report that he was named by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin as the party’s sole DPM candidate.

However, a source told Malaysiakini that Putrajaya was hesitant to accept Azmin’s candidacy.

Stability first, posts later

Meanwhile, Azmin who is also PN information chief, said the government of the day must be stable and fair in managing important matters for the rakyat's interests.

"My answer is simple, my friends in Bersatu, PN, and I are responsible to strengthen the government because the administration is a coalition where PN is the biggest component party.

"When we have a strong and stable government, then the people will benefit from it and our country will be prosperous," he said.

In July, PN had expressed the party's disappointment over Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's alleged lack of interest in keeping his promise with them.

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin reportedly said this had prompted PN to send a delegation to meet the Bera MP for talks on Aug 4.

Among the terms in the agreement between PN and the prime minister was to appoint a DPM from Bersatu. - Mkini