Pasir Salak Umno chief Tajuddin Abdul Rahman today threw support behind Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to become the Umno deputy president.

This comes amid speculation that sitting deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin will be sacked from Umno at the party's supreme council meeting next week, following his removal as deputy prime minister in July.

"Does Pasir Salak agree that Zahid should become the Umno deputy president?" Tajuddin asked, to which the 1,000 delegates at the division's annual meeting shouted back: "Agree!"

"It is only fitting that the deputy prime minister is also the Umno deputy president," Tajuddin added.

Zahid, who was in attendance, flashed a grin.

Malaysiakini understands that Muhyiddin is now preparing his defence , in the event that he is sacked as deputy president.

It is believed Muhyiddin was dropped from the cabinet for being too vocal about state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Pasir Salak is a special place for Zahid, who said it is his grandmother's home town.

'RM400m bridge approved'

In his opening speech at the division meeting, Zahid also announced that the federal government has approved a RM400 million bridge connecting Pasir Salak to his constituency of Bagan Datoh.

"The prayers of the people of Pasir Salak and Bagan Datoh have been answered," he said.

After the speeches, the division held a thanksgiving meal in conjunction with Zahid's ascension to deputy prime ministership.

Earlier in his speech, besides throwing support behind Zahid, Tajuddin also said the people of Pasir Salak were fully behind Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He said he had accompanied the premier to an event in Pasir Salak recently, in which thousands voiced their support for the premier.

He then pledged to help BN achieve victory in the next general election, a pledge fully supported by the delegates.

This is the second division to show support for Zahid to take on the Umno deputy presidency, after Keningau at their meeting last month made the call.

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