The Umno president also pointed out that he was not nominating himself for the position despite his party controlling the most parliamentary seats among those that had been part of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration. ― Picture by Hari Anggara
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Umno was considering several candidates to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the prime minister today, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said to cast doubt over Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s rumoured selection for the role.
The Umno president also pointed out that he was not nominating himself for the position despite his party controlling the most parliamentary seats among those that had been part of Muhyiddin’s administration.
“In the interests of the nation, it never crossed my mind to put myself up as a candidate to be prime minister despite heading the largest party.
“As such, Umno, as a party with vast and lengthy experience in governing the country, will consider several candidates,” he said in a statement.
Ahmad Zahid went on to urge his party’s leaders and lawmakers to set aside their differences and cooperate in the matter.
Yesterday, it was revealed that a campaign was underway to propose Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri as a replacement for Muhyiddin.
Ismail Sabri was among the Umno lawmakers that defied the party’s decision to withdraw support for Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional, and led a supposed group of 31 Barisan Nasional lawmakers to endorse Muhyiddin to stay on prior to the latter’s resignation today.
MORE TO COME