Pro-Muhyiddin Umno MPs in the dark over PM's peace offering to opposition
At least two Umno MPs aligned with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said they were caught off guard by the prime minister's offer for the opposition to support the government in exchange for reforms.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin said he was not informed about the deal and like most Malaysians, only found out when Muhyiddin made the offer on live television.
"We only just found out...
At least two Umno MPs aligned with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said they were caught off guard by the prime minister's offer for the opposition to support the government in exchange for reforms.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin said he was not informed about the deal and like most Malaysians, only found out when Muhyiddin made the offer on live television.
"We only just found out... so, now, we want to know what the (proposed) cooperation entails," he told Malaysiakini.
As such, the Padang Besar MP said a meeting will be held with Muhyiddin soon.
"There may be a discussion on Sunday," he added.
Zahidi (above) is among the 23 Umno MPs still backing Muhyiddin and is vocal in supporting the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
The remaining 15 Umno MPs have withdrawn support for Muhyiddin, leaving him with 100 MPs, 11 short of a simple majority. There are presently 220 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat while another two seats are vacant.
Muhyiddin, in an attempt to rebuild his collapsed majority, had offered various reforms in exchange for the support of opposition MPs but was rebuffed.
His offers included equal funding for opposition MPs and reforms that have long been lobbied for by the opposition, such as a term limit for the prime minister, anti-hopping laws, and a more inclusive composition of parliamentary select committees.
Zahidi said Muhyiddin's announcement lacked details and things were still unclear.
"We don't know whether the cooperation with them will be as the opposition or part of the government. We will look at it and discuss," he added.
Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, another dissenting Umno lawmaker who was against the party quitting the PN government, said he too was unclear about the nature of the proposed cooperation.
"The prime minister announced some form of cooperation but the nature of the cooperation is unclear.
"Will DAP be part of PN or what? Is he inviting everyone to cooperate in the interest of the country, what form will it take? We need to seek clarification," he added.
Tajuddin said he is sceptical that DAP and PKR will accept the offer as it is not according to what opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are planning.
"I think it's not possible because it's different from what Anwar and Zahid want to do."
Muhyiddin summons PN party chiefs after opposition rejects offer
