Zahid defends Muhyiddin gov't, says Umno will be check and balance

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has come to the defence of the Muhyiddin Yassin government amidst discontent amongst the party's MPs over the cabinet line-up.

Zahid said the party will also be a check and balance on the Perikatan Nasional government.

"This (check and balance) is to ensure that the people's voice and aspirations are truly protected.

"Umno remains committed to defending the new government led by Muhyiddin as long as the people's aspirations are protected and to ensure that political and economic stability prevails until the 15th general election," he said in a statement this evening.

Umno leaders have been complaining that the Muhyiddin cabinet is not proportionate.

Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said, who is one of the critics, said earlier today that Umno deserved a fairer deal.

"In honouring the spirit of a coalition partnership, don’t we (Umno) deserve a fairer deal?

"Simple maths regarding coalition representation: Bersatu (28%)= 1 (PM) + 2 (senior ministers). Umno (35%)= 1 senior minister," she tweeted.

Azalina Othman Said

However, when met after an Umno supreme council meeting this evening, Azalina told reporters that Zahid had explained the situation.

"The president has given his explanation and we accept it. What is important is that the party's voice is brought to the cabinet by Umno ministers," she told reporters.

However, not all Umno leaders appear to be satisfied with Zahid's reasoning.

Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahin was still complaining when met after the same meeting.

"The positions given to Umno are those that don't help the people. Agriculture, and rural development are held by Bersatu.

"Defence takes care of security only, but what can we do to help the people in the villages that involve fisherfolk and farmers? This affects Umno's position in national politics," he said.,

Bersatu controls 34 percent of the cabinet positions despite having only 26 percent of the total MPs on the government bench.

The runner-up is Umno which has 28 percent of the cabinet positions despite controlling 35 percent of MPs on the government bench.

All in all, Bersatu has 11 ministers, Umno nine, GPS four, PAS three, MCA one, MIC one and PBS one.

Zahid in his statement also said Umno will also continue strengthening its Muafakat Nasional alliance with PAS as well as BN. - Mkini