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‘Suicidal’ to appoint Azmin as DPM, says Puad

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The Umno Supreme Council member says the post should be left vacant to ‘checkmate’ those lobbying or fighting for it.

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Free Malaysia Today
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi says Azmin Ali’s image is seen as negative.

PETALING JAYA:
It would be “suicidal” to appoint Gombak MP Azmin Ali as the deputy prime minister (DPM), says a member of the Umno Supreme Council.

Puad Zarkashi said the former Selangor menteri besar’s image was seen to be negative both in terms of morale and his performance since Perikatan Nasional (PN) became the government, he said in a Facebook post.

“Appointing Azmin as DPM would be suicidal.”

Puad also felt that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should leave the DPM’s post vacant to stop certain individuals from lobbying or fighting for it.

“It’s good if the DPM’s post is vacant. It would checkmate the lobbyists and those vying for it,” he said.

Azmin’s political secretary Muhammad Hilman Idham, yesterday dismissed news reports by FMT and Malaysiakini that the former senior minister may retract his support for Ismail if he is not named as the DPM as “false, malicious and irresponsible”.

In a statement, Hilman said that the reports were an attempt to split the coalition that was backing Ismail and to destabilise PN.

FMT yesterday reported that Bersatu and Umno leaders feared that Azmin might not back Ismail during a motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat if he was not appointed the country’s number two.

Commenting on the matter, Puad said Ismail “should not be afraid of threats” as he was appointed democratically and in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

“After all, how do you want to intimidate (Ismail) and withdraw support?” he asked.

“The motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat on Sept 6 is no longer relevant or necessary.”

Last week, Istana Negara said the King had decreed that whoever became the prime minister must table a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to prove that he commanded the majority support of MPs.

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