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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that an understanding has been reached for all ministers who are members of the United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO) party to continue to serve in his cabinet.
The statement, released on Wednesday morning (March 31), came after UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Sunday that the party could withdraw its support for the government of Perikatan Nasional (PN) “in any moment “and that the UMNO ministers and vice ministers would not hesitate. give up.
“I have advised them to remain in the Cabinet. This takes into account the interests of the country and the people.
“Right now, the government’s priority is to fight COVID-19, carry out the national immunization program and restore the national economy,” Muhyiddin said.
The prime minister added that some UMNO ministers have significant portfolios related to the government’s priorities at this stage and he did not want their resignations to affect the government’s plans.
“God willing, following my advice, an understanding has been reached that all UMNO ministers will remain in Cabinet.
“With this agreement, I give my assurance that the Cabinet will function normally and that all government initiatives will continue to be implemented as planned,” he said.
UMNO, Malaysia’s largest political party, was removed from federal power in the 2018 elections. After the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government, it offered the support of its legislators to the Muhyiddin coalition and returned to federal politics.
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However, ties between UMNO and Muhyiddin’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia have been deteriorating. The UMNO is growing impatient with its current second position in government, and two UMNO MPs had publicly withdrawn their support for the PN government.
The party has also said that it will only work with PN until the next general election.
Ahmad Zahid, who replaced Muhyiddin as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister in 2015 when the latter was expelled from UMNO, said during the general assembly that UMNO had decided to face the polls alone.
