Umno vice president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged members not to question its deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin’s loyalty to the party.

Instead, they should instead be glad of Muhyiddin’s promise not to retaliate against his dismissal, he reportedly told a press conference after attending the Bagan Datoh Umno division meeting yesterday.

“I ask that there should be no negative speculation and analysis towards Muhyiddin’s stance. I for one, am very appreciative of his stance and his support for the party.

“I hope that what he puts forward would be interpreted as support for Umno’s agendas and activities,” he was quoted as saying in Mingguan Malaysia today.

Zahid was appointed as the deputy prime minister last week, replacing Muhyiddin who was being outspoken on the 1MDB issue.

On another matter, Zahid has dismissed speculation that several Umno menteri besar will be dismissed as well following the cabinet reshuffling.

The matter did not arise during his meeting with the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on Friday involving Umno state chiefs, he said.

“This (reshuffling of state-level leaders) should not be linked to the cabinet reshuffling because that is the national-level reshuffle.

“I don’t want to pre-empt the prime minister’s decision, but be confident that there won’t be any reshuffle or change in any state, and don’t speculate about it,” he was quoted as saying.

Among those believed to be dropped soon include Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir ( photo ), Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob, the report said.

Zahid urged those who said to be dropped not to feel sidelined and maintain their loyalty to the party.

He also assured them that he would ensure there would be no changes in the state government line-up, especially for Zambry who is menteri besar at Zahid’s home state and the venue where he was speaking.

“I want to deny in particular the speculation of leadership change in Perak and guarantee that there will be no change in the Perak leadership.

“We give faith and full confidence to Zambry to continue to lead the Perak government,” he said.