Forgiven but not forgotten, Zahid says of 10 MPs who signed SDs backing Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has forgiven the 10 Barisan Nasional MPs who signed statutory declarations in support of Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after GE15.

However, the Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president said the MPs will continue to be investigated and monitored.

The Deputy Prime Minister said although he has forgiven them, he has not forgotten the episode, which might have resulted in Umno being out of the unity government.

"I have said it loud and clear – I have already forgiven (them) although it is difficult for me to forget. That is the reality. But the 30 Barisan Nasional/Umno MPs need to be intact to enable the unity government in Putrajaya to be stabilised.

"As for how they can show their repentance, let the Umno delegates analyse and judge their attitude and the ‘showing off’ (of their strength).

“It is unfair for me to decide (what they should do to repent)," he said in an interview with The Star on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly at the World Trade Centre here on Thursday (Jan 12).

At a media conference later, Ahmad Zahid said the 10 Barisan MPs, mostly from Umno, signed the SDs at a time when there was no bloc of political parties that could claim a majority to form the government.

"Of course, at that time, efforts were then made to ensure that the 10 MPs revoked their SDs (for Muhyiddin).

"As the matter is in the past and the 10 are now with the unity government... I have forgiven them.

"However, together with the Umno disciplinary council, I will continue to monitor them on their stand should they make any kind of ‘moves’, although I am convinced that they are with Umno and Barisan in supporting the current unity government.

"The mistake happened at a time of uncertainty. I do not believe that they signed the SDs for Muhyiddin in a vindictive spirit.

"The revelation I made in a closed-door briefing (on Wednesday, Jan 11) was my way of sharing the information, as the Umno delegates need to know what happened when we formed the unity government. We must move forward now and take this mistake as a lesson to learn from.

"All moves to be made by Umno and Barisan have to be en bloc," said Ahmad Zahid.

On Nov 20, 10 Barisan MPs were said to have signed SDs in support of Muhyiddin to be the 10th Prime Minister.

On Nov 23, however, Perikatan lost the boost it needed to form the government when the 10 MPs retracted their support.

Umno later supported en bloc the formation of the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.