Division says 'Zahid as DPM' poster fake, cabinet reshuffle speculation grows

 

The Bagan Datuk Umno division has denied issuing a poster congratulating Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for an appointment as deputy prime minister.

Decrying it as fake news intended to tarnish the name of the Bagan Datuk MP, the division's chairperson Khairuddin Tarmizi said no such poster was ever authorised or issued, and it was possible that irresponsible parties were attempting to viral its distribution.

"Recently, there have been so many fake announcements distributed by certain parties who want to tarnish the image of the party and also the Umno president.

"This is psychological warfare waged by the political enemies of Umno. What is certain is that Bagan Datuk Umno did not issue a poster regarding this," he told Sinar Harian.

Khairuddin said his party hopes that the explanation can ease the anxiety of the public who have been misled by the poster. He also asked members of the public to stop spreading it.

Cabinet reshuffle speculation growing

The fake poster came amidst tension within the seven-month-old Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration of Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia, Mingguan Malaysia, reported that Muhyiddin is considering a cabinet reshuffle as early as tomorrow.

It reported a source as saying that the reshuffle could see more Umno lawmakers within its ranks to placate the party, with some key Umno leaders sworn in as senators to pave the way for their appointments to the cabinet post.

Umno issued a statement on this matter last week, stating it was reconsidering its support for the PN coalition in favour of strengthening its relationship with PAS under the Muafakat Nasional banner.

This followed the declaration by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim that he now had the support of a majority of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

"Muhyiddin has to ensure Umno does not withdraw its political cooperation from PN," the source was quoted as saying.

On Friday, Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (below) said leaders from his party should be given the deputy prime minister's post as well as key cabinet positions.

The Pasir Salak MP argued that his demand was in line with the number of parliamentary seats held by Umno and its contributions to the PN government.

"By right, the deputy prime minister's post should be given to Umno.

"Umno as the largest PN component should be rewarded and given recognition, but unfortunately that has not been the case," he said.

Tajuddin also took aim at Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali who only brought along nine former PKR MPs into Bersatu, pointing out that this was in contrast to Umno's "strong" position.

Yesterday, however, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof of Bersatu said there is no need for the government to reshuffle the cabinet to satisfy the demands of certain parties.

It should be noted that Muafakat is set to hold a meeting tomorrow and that BN secretary-general Annuar Musa said he was happy to know that representatives of Muhyiddin's Bersatu, Umno and PAS had already started negotiating.

The Umno supreme council is set to meet on Tuesday. - Mkini