Umno leader: Appointing Zahid as DPM will strengthen govt

Appointing Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the deputy prime minister will strengthen the government, not tarnish its image.

So declared Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi (above), who dubbed Zahid as the "key" to the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"Appointing Zahid will strengthen the unity government until the end of its term. Zahid is committed to the government. He is the key.

"Rejecting Zahid will threaten Umno's stability. The 130 Umno division chiefs are opposed to Zahid stepping down. That is a signal. Anwar needs a stable government to bring about changes," Puad said in a statement on his Facebook today.

He was commenting on the remark by national journalism laureate A Kadir Jasin that Anwar would be committing harakiri if he selects Zahid as deputy prime minister or appoint him to any position in his government.

'Give Anwar time'

Puad further urged Anwar to be given enough time to administer the country.

"After five years, give the mandate back to the rakyat to choose. No Sheraton Move or backdoor dealings,” he said.

According to Puad, the mastermind behind the "Umno court cluster" narrative is (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"The court cluster narrative is Mahathir's highest conspiracy to kill off Umno. Dozens of selective charges in creating a bad perception of the party.

"This is what Kadir Jasin wants to do. The motive is to destabilise the unity government. He and Mahathir want to kill off Umno, although Mahathir lost his (election) deposit in Langkawi."

The country is awaiting the formation of a new cabinet a week after Anwar took his oath of office as prime minister.

With no party achieving a simple majority to form the government, Anwar had to rely on BN's support to become the prime minister.

However, various quarters have opposed the idea of Zahid being appointed as the deputy prime minister due to the pending graft and abuse of power charges against him.

Anwar's cabinet expected to be named tomorrow

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