KUALA LUMPUR: As the former prime minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should have prioritised Malaysians who are facing various issues at present, instead of demanding the deputy prime minister position, says Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena).
Mahfuz (pic) said he was shocked that Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said a delegation by the coalition is set to meet the Prime Minister to discuss the implementations of terms that was signed with Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"I'm quite shocked with the statement (by Hamzah) recently. The Perikatan chairman (Muhyiddin) was once the prime minister and he should've thought about the people and country's interest, not about the component party's interest to fill up positions," said Mahfuz.
Mahfuz said that the statement by Hamzah did not mention the deputy prime minister post, but said it's publicly known that Perikatan was eyeing for the post.
"Everyone knew the important term mentioned in the statement is the issue of the deputy prime minister post," said Mahfuz during his speech on the anti-party hopping Bill in Parliament on Thursday (July 28).
Mahfuz also described the constant demands for the deputy prime minister position as a prolonged crisis.
"Because this concerns the fight for a position between two groups in the same government.
"It is very unfortunate that those in the government still harbour feelings of resentment and disappointment.
"This shows that the government is like a sunken ship that does not know where to dock," added Mahfuz.
Mahfuz said the constant demands for the deputy prime minister post is exactly why the anti-party hopping law must be passed in Parliament.
The anti-party hopping Bill is set to be passed by Parliament later Thursday (July 28).
Earlier, Thursday (July 28) afternoon, Hamzah said Perikatan will send a delegation to meet Ismail Sabri, saying that they are disappointed over what it claimed to be a lack of determination and commitment on the part of the Prime Minister to fulfil what he had agreed to.
Hamzah said this was decided at the Perikatan supreme council meeting on Wednesday (July 27) night.
"This meeting expressed disappointment with the Prime Minister who is seen as though he is not determined to fulfil the important terms in the agreement between him and Perikatan.
"We will send a delegation to discuss the execution of the terms of the agreement soon," said Hamzah.
Previously, Muhyiddin had said that he and the Prime minister inked an agreement in August last year.
The agreement was on the appointment of a deputy prime minister from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, among other things.
Muhyiddin was appointed prime minister following the fall of Pakatan Harapan after the Sheraton Move in February 2020.
After just 17 months in power, Muhyiddin tendered his resignation in August after a group of Umno MPs led by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi withdrew support for him.
