Muhyiddin should have talked about the economy when he met the PM, says Umno info chief

PETALING JAYA: As the National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) should have spoken about issues pertaining to his position when he meets the Prime Minister, says Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.

However, Shahril said it appears that Muhyiddin took the opportunity to talk about the appointment of several new positions, including the deputy prime minister’s post, during his meet up with the Prime Minister on Saturday (July 2).

"Then, Muhyiddin made it public, to pressure Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"It is the prime minister that decides Cabinet appointments. No one should pressure (the premier), especially leaders from other parties," said Shahril in a statement on Sunday (July 3) night.

Shahril said new appointments from the Cabinet was not a priority at the moment.

"If there is a DPM from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), could it solve issues faced by the people?" Shahril questioned.

Shahril, who’s also the economic adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office, said that regardless of Muhyiddin’s remarks, Barisan Nasional will focus its efforts towards addressing issues faced by regular Malaysians.

"The Perikatan Nasional chairman seemed to be busier on the issue of Cabinet appointments and the issue concerning its logo, which was discussed endlessly," said Shahril, referring to a remark by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Tuan Ibrahim had said PAS was undecided whether it would use the Perikatan logo in GE15, following Muhyiddin’s remarks that the Islamist party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had agreed for the party to contest under Perikatan logo.

Earlier on Sunday (July 3), several Umno leaders, including former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had said it was inappropriate for Muhyiddin to be discussing the appointment of new positions as the focus should be on economic recovery and managing inflation.

"With the general election around the corner... are positions and committees a priority for Malaysians?" Najib questioned.

Umno youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki questioned the Perikatan chairman's timing.

He said such a request should not have been made, especially when the rakyat were struggling with the high cost of living.

On Saturday (July 2) Muhyiddin said he had met with Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss several important matters, including the deputy prime minister's post.

He said the meeting was held a few days ago to consider the previous agreement between Perikatan and the Prime Minister.