We’re behind you, BN MPs tell Muhyiddin in snub to Umno chief

Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs from Umno, MCA and MIC today stated their support for Muhyiddin Yassin, a day after Umno chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared his party was revoking its support for the prime minister.

“In a situation where the country is facing a health and economic crisis, the survival of the people is far more important than political games.

“In this regard, the MPs support Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister to continue the agenda of defending the people.”

In their statement which was issued outside of the BN channel, the MPs said their stand was in line with the leeway granted to them by the Umno Supreme Council, allowing them to decide whether or not to revoke their support for Muhyiddin.

BN has a total of 41 MPs including Zahid, former leader Najib Razak and a handful of MPs who have been at the forefront of attacks against Muhyiddin.

In his announcement last night, Zahid said Muhyiddin had failed to fulfil several conditions as the basis of Umno’s support for the Perikatan Nasional government.

“Umno urges Muhyiddin to step down gracefully and to allow a new prime minister for a limited term,” he said.

He also said the government had failed to manage the Covid-19 crisis, accusing it of using the virus emergency for its political benefit at the cost of the country’s economy, and of failing to uphold democratic practices and to effectively distribute aid to the people.

However, it is understood that the vast majority of Umno MPs are sticking with their decision not to revoke support for Muhyiddin, despite Zahid’s announcement.

MalaysiaNow also reported that Zahid had given MPs from the party the choice to remain in the government despite his call for Umno to withdraw its support for Muhyiddin, although this was not mentioned in his statement.