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KUALA LUMPUR: The United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO) said on Thursday night (Oct 29) that all of its ministers will remain in Cabinet for now, while calling for general elections to be held once COVID-19 is under control.
This came amid talks about a possible cabinet shakeup, with some suggesting that there could be a UMNO deputy prime minister.
In a statement issued after the party held its second supreme council meeting this week, UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said: “All cabinet members representing UMNO will continue in government and commit to protect the welfare of the people and defend the honor of the party. “
However, the party also affirmed that the mandate of the people to form a stable government must be returned, by holding general elections once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control and at a minimal level.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, president of the United Malaysia National Organization. (File photo: Bernama)
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The statement said that the UMNO will continue focused and consistent on the importance of a political ceasefire and the national reconciliation agenda, to face the COVID-19 pandemic while taking care of the well-being of the people and the peace and political stability of the country. .
“The UMNO wishes to clearly reiterate that we maintain the decree of the council of governors and kings to ensure that the country’s administration is well administered, based on the supremacy of the laws and honoring the spirit enshrined in the Federal Constitution, and not leading the country to an emergency. like what the government proposed, ”said Ahmad Zahid.
He added that the party has refined the diverse opinions and hopes of the people regarding the next budget that will be presented on November 6 and will forward them to the government.
These include the issue of extending the loan moratorium, home-based housing assistance for those who had lost their income, assistance for unemployed youth, special payments for the frontline, and other initiatives to boost Malaysia’s economic development. .
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Ahmad Zahid also said that the action by either party to challenge the UMNO’s decision to support the royal decree was irresponsible and highly regretted. Nor would the party hesitate to take firm measures to protect both the sovereignty of the rulers and the interests of the people.
Although the UMNO is not formally registered in the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, the support of its 39 MPs is a crucial bloc to support Muhyiddin Yassin’s slim parliamentary majority.
On Monday, the party reaffirmed its support for the PN government, but also called for better cooperation, stating that their political relationship must be based on respect and political consensus.
Monday’s announcement came in the wake of the ruling council and Malaysian king’s decision to reject a Muhyiddin proposal on Oct. 23 to declare a state of emergency amid growing COVID-19 cases and political instability. .
A state of emergency would have seen the next parliamentary session on November 2 suspended.
It was previously speculated that some UMNO lawmakers were willing to work with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. UMNO politicians have been perceived to seek a more favorable redistribution of government positions for party lawmakers.
