Following a meeting with Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believes the monarch is of the opinion that only Umno can unite the Malays.

However, he also revealed the sultan did not express this in words.

"The sultan reminded me that Umno was born in the Johor palace. [...] His Royal Highness does not wish to meddle in politics but the sultan hopes the Malays can remain united.

"Although His Royal Highness did not say it, I am confident the sultan is counting on Umno to unite the Malays," he told delegates at the Kota Tinggi Umno division meet today.

Zahid, who is in the southern state to officiate three Umno division meetings, had an audience with Sultan Ibrahim earlier this morning.

The sultan previously met with Zahid's predecessor, Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who hails from Johor, was axed from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's cabinet in a reshuffle last month.

Najib's decision to remove Muhyiddin as his number two had caused a rift in Johor Umno, despite calls for unity by both leaders.

Elaborating further, Zahid cautioned that no one should claim they are close to the monarch.

Five bikes, one Jeep

However, he had no qualms boasting of how generous the monarch has been to him.

"I don't know how many Johoreans have received motorbikes as gifts but His Royal Highness has given five motorbikes to me, as well as a Jeep Wrangler with the license plate J 38.

"I know this is wh at the press will write about," Zahid said.

The Umno vice-president said the vehicles were given as tokens of appreciation.

Sultan Ibrahim is a well-known bike and car enthusiast, hosting an annual ride dubbed 'Kembara Johor', which Zahid often takes part in.

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